Ban: Syria must grant UN access
Syrian authorities must give United Nations aid agencies access to civilians caught up in clashes between government forces and pro-reform protesters, and permit entry for a human rights fact-finding mission, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says. Syria has faced international criticism from rights advocates for a bloody crackdown against pro-reform demonstrators.
Time is nigh to resolve Cypriot differences, Ban says
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is seeking a resolution by October from the slow-moving talks intended to mete out the reunification of the divided island of Cyprus. While Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders have agreed in principle to a two-zone federation, long-standing disputes over property claims and boundary lines have thwarted talks.
Justice is still elusive for war rape victims
The public stand Iman al-Obeidi took after being raped by Libyan soldiers has helped focus world attention on an issue the United Nations considers central to gender equity and access to justice for females -- the use of rape as a weapon of war. It is often difficult to identify perpetrators of conflict-related sexual violence and few are ever prosecuted for assaults.
Congo mass rape is tantamount to war crime, UN says
A new UN report says that sexual violence is being used as a weapon of war in the Democratic Republic of Congo, particularly as a form of punishment against government supporters. The mass rape last year by Rwandan FDLR rebels and a Congolese armed group -- for which only one person has been prosecuted -- could constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity, according to the report.
Protests persist in Syria
Even as the bloody crackdown continue by the Syrian regime against mostly peaceful anti-government protesters, the populace has begun to imagine a country without the ruling Assad family. Human rights campaigners are suggesting that the weeklong siege by security forces in May of Talkalakh -- resulting in widespread reports of killings, torture and arbitrary detention -- could constitute crimes against humanity.
UN human rights official proposes Haiti truth commission
Although nearly two dozen lawsuits have been filed in Haiti against former dictator Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier for crimes ranging from attempted murder to embezzlement and torture, the creation of a truth commission would help Haitians come to terms with the past, says Kyung-wha Kang, United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights.
UN, U.S. government seek Texas stay of execution
The United Nations and U.S. federal government are calling upon a state court in Texas to delay the planned execution of a Mexican national because the convicted murderer was not provided with consular notification and assistance, apparently violating international law.
Clinton: Women's rights are key to progress
Efforts to guarantee women's rights around the globe represent one of the key battles of the 21st century, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said during a Community of Democracies session on women. Clinton highlighted current Community of Democracies chair Lithuania -- which has a female president, parliamentary speaker and Cabinet members -- as an example for other countries to emulate.
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