UN News Centre

The United Nations Independent Investigation in Burundi, which was set up to investigate human rights violations in the country since April 2015, said today it has completed the deployment of a team of human rights monitors on the ground.

The United Nations human rights expert on racism today urged the Government of Argentina to take urgent measures to sustainably address the invisibility, marginalization and systematic exclusion of indigenous peoples in the country.

A total of 741 Iraqis were killed and another 1,374 were injured in acts of terrorism, violence and armed conflict in Iraq last month, according to casualty figures recorded by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).

Despite the positive atmosphere of the Yemeni peace talks which prevailed during the past few days, the United Nations envoy for Yemen announced today that the Government&#39s delegation suspended its participation in the plenary sessions because of reports received from Amran governorate.

Jazz is a universal message of peace that harmonizes rhythm and meaning, carries values significant for every woman and man, and provides unique opportunities for mutual understanding, the top United Nations cultural official said today, as music enthusiasts around the world celebrate International Jazz Day.

The United Nations envoy for Yemen reported today that the latest session of peace negotiations among Yemeni parties in Kuwait &#8220went on in a positive and constructive atmosphere and reflected a mutual desire to move forward in the talks&#8221.

During a visit to Geneva today, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the first-ever Olympic refugee team to compete in the international event, and received the Olympic Cup Award on behalf of the UN.

A United Nations human rights expert today called on the Government of El Salvador to develop and implement a wide range of initiatives to protect the victims of contemporary forms of slavery, such as forced labour and domestic servitude.

The Security Council today, by recorded vote, adopted a resolution extending for one year the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), emphasizing “the urgent need for the mission to return to full functionality.”

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has marked the Day of Remembrance for All Victims of Chemical Warfare with a call for reflection on the “terrible toll” of chemical weapons and for taking stock of efforts to chart a course to a world free from the menace of such weapons.

With just six weeks left before the start of the main cropping season in Ethiopia, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) called today for urgent funding to help farmers sow their fields and prevent drought-hit areas of the country from falling deeper into hunger and food insecurity.

The United Nations human rights office said today it has received “worrying information” about ongoing armed clashes in Mozambique between national security forces and members of Renamo, the former rebel group which became the main opposition party at the end of the 16-year civil war in 1992.

A United Nations human rights expert today warned that the atrocities faced by persons with albinism in Malawi render them “an endangered people group facing a risk of systemic extinction over time if nothing is done.”

The United Nations human rights chief today said that the latest reports of civilian deaths and injuries in Syria, including bombings of marketplaces and medical facilities, reveal a &#8220monstrous disregard for civilian lives by all parties to the conflict,&#8221 calling for urgent action by all relevant actors to resolve to help the people of Syria.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the appointment by South Sudan President Salva Kiir of the ministers of the Transitional Government of National Unity, urging the parties to complete the establishment of all transition institutions.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Director-General Irina Bokova of the UN Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) appointed 12 new members to the governing UN University (UNU) Council.

As the conflict in the eastern part of Ukraine enters its third year, the United Nations Security Council today met with both a sense of urgency and hope, as described by a senior UN political official.

The United Nations will go dark later this evening as the Organization shuts off the lights at its iconic Headquarters complex in New York and other facilities around the world in observance of &#39Earth Hour,&#39 an annual global event to put the spotlight on the issues facing the planet and to inspire millions across the world to live more sustainably.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has learned of the arrival in Djibouti today of the Foreign Minister of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, and the announcement of the release of four Djiboutian prisoners by the Eritrean authorities.

Briefing the Security Council, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and United Nations High Commissioner Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein today voiced concern about spiralling violence and rights violations in Burundi, and called for an inclusive political dialogue to peacefully resolve the 11-month crisis.