Month: February 2024

‘High time for peace’, UN chief says, as Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine enters third year

“Two years on and a decade since Russia’s attempted illegal annexation of Ukraine’s Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, the war in Ukraine remains an open wound at the heart of Europe,” António Guterres said. “It is high time for peace – a just peace, based on the UN Charter, international law … Read more‘High time for peace’, UN chief says, as Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine enters third year

General Assembly President calls for solidarity with Ukraine as ‘needless war’ enters a third year

“As we reflect on the two years of anguish and hardship, let us emerge from this place with a resounding message of solidarity and unwavering support to the resilient people of Ukraine,” he said, speaking on the eve of the solemn anniversary.  The Security Council is also set to meet later on Friday on Ukraine, … Read moreGeneral Assembly President calls for solidarity with Ukraine as ‘needless war’ enters a third year

Ukraine: Bucha and Irpin rise from the ashes of Russian military occupation

“They were flying by helicopter from the direction of the cargo airport in Hostomel [north of Bucha]. Then they marched with tanks along Vokzalna Street, crossed the railway and moved in the direction of Kyiv,” says Mykhaylina Skoryk-Shkarivska, founder of the Institute for Sustainable Development of Communities in Bucha and deputy of the Irpin City … Read moreUkraine: Bucha and Irpin rise from the ashes of Russian military occupation

UK urged to end ‘national threat’ of violence against women and girls

Concluding a 10-day visit to the country, Special Rapporteur Reem Alsalem noted that a woman is killed by a man every three days in the UK, and one in four women there will experience some form of domestic violence in her lifetime. “Entrenched patriarchy at almost every level of society, combined with a rise in … Read moreUK urged to end ‘national threat’ of violence against women and girls

UK bill to send asylum seekers to Rwanda ‘undercuts human rights’: UN rights chief

“You cannot legislate facts out of existence,” said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, calling on the UK Government to reconsider the bill in light of recent reports raising a range of concerns. “It is deeply concerning to carve out one group of people, or people in one particular situation, from the equal protection … Read moreUK bill to send asylum seekers to Rwanda ‘undercuts human rights’: UN rights chief

After Navalny death, independent expert on rights in Russia asks ‘who is next?’

Speaking exclusively to UN News, she said her office had raised repeated concerns over the past months, among them, over Mr. Navalny’s deteriorating health. Arrested in 2021, the 47-year-old anti-corruption activist was serving multiple sentences on charges, including extremism. “It’s very shocking that this happened today less than a month before the Russian presidential election, … Read moreAfter Navalny death, independent expert on rights in Russia asks ‘who is next?’

Address root causes of Ukraine war, UN official urges, as anniversary of Russian invasion approaches

Miroslav Jenča, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Europe at the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA), warned that the fighting risked “further diminishing the prospects for a just and lasting solution”. “The approaching anniversary of the invasion is not only an occasion to recount the horrors of the past two years, but also a reminder … Read moreAddress root causes of Ukraine war, UN official urges, as anniversary of Russian invasion approaches

Security Council debates Kosovo’s new rules on Serbian currency

The Prime Minister of Kosovo and Serbia’s President joined Council members in a heated discussion centred on new rules, which came into force on 1 February. The Central Bank of Kosovo regulation made the Euro, not the Serbian dinar, the only currency allowed for cash transactions. Kosovo declared independence in 2008, but it is not … Read moreSecurity Council debates Kosovo’s new rules on Serbian currency

Stories from the UN Archive: All-star 1950s cast visits European refugee camps

The Russian-born actor, filmmaker and photographer was appointed a special consultant to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in connection with World Refugee Year. Ahead of the International Human Fraternity Day, marked annually on 4 February, this week’s #ThrowbackThursday edition focuses on the Hollywood stars who focused on the plight of … Read moreStories from the UN Archive: All-star 1950s cast visits European refugee camps

World court rejects bulk of Ukraine’s terrorism charges against Russia

The 117-page judgement contained rulings on seven matters in Ukraine’s case against Russia claiming that Moscow funded pro-Russian separatists in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions and the Crimean peninsula. The court ruled that Russia had failed to investigate persons who allegedly breached parts of the Convention against Financing Terrorism. In terms of Russia’s actions in Crimea after … Read moreWorld court rejects bulk of Ukraine’s terrorism charges against Russia