January 19, 2019 No comments
Another 170 migrants disappear in shipwrecks, UN agency reiterates call for an end to Mediterranean tragedy
INTERNATIONAL, 19 January 2019, Migrants and Refugees - The United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, stated on Saturday that “no effort should be spared” in saving lives at sea, following reports of two new shipwrecks on the Mediterranean Sea, in which some 170 people either died or went missing. “The tragedy of the Mediterranean cannot be allowed to continue,” said Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. According to various NGOs, about 53 people died on the Alborán Sea, in the western part of the Mediterranean. One survivor is understood to have been rescued by a passing fishing boat after being stranded for more than 24 hours at sea and is receiving medical treatment in Morocco. According to UNHCR, Moroccan and Spanish rescue vessels have been searching for the boat and...
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January 19, 2019 No comments
Mexico: UN chief saddened by pipeline blast in which dozens were killed
INTERNATIONAL, 19 January 2019, Peace and Security - The United Nations' Secretary-General, António Guterres, learned with sadness of the deadly explosion of an oil pipeline on Friday in Hidalgo State, Mexico, and extended the UN's assistance to the national authorities, his Spokesman said on Saturday. According to news reports, the explosion was caused by fuel thieves who punctured the gas pipeline north of Mexico City. Fuel theft has become a growing occurrence in the country over the past few years, adding to other security issues. UN Spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said in his statement that Mr. Guterres was saddened by the incident which killed over 60 people and injured dozens. The UN chief expressed his condolences to the families of those killed in this tragic event and wished the injured a speedy recovery. The Secretary-General also...
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January 18, 2019 No comments
UN agency chief calls Ethiopia’s revised refugee law ‘one of most progressive’ in Africa
INTERNATIONAL, 18 January 2019, Migrants and Refugees - Ethiopia has revised its existing refugee law, making it easier to obtain work permits, drivers’ licenses and access primary school, a move being hailed by the head of the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR). “The passage of this historic law represents a significant milestone in Ethiopia’s long history of welcoming and hosting refugees from across the region for decades,” said Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees. He said the move makes Ethiopia “a model” for other refugee-hosting nations around the world. In a statement released one day after the Ethiopian Parliament adopted the revision, UNHCR called it “one of the most progressive refugee policies in Africa.” Ethiopia hosts over 900,000 refugees, primarily from neighbouring South Sudan, Somalia, Sudan and Eritrea, as...
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January 18, 2019 No comments
UN rights office calls on Zimbabwe Government to end ‘crackdown’ in response to fuel protests
INTERNATIONAL, 18 January 2019, Human Rights - In Zimbabwe, violence and the reported use of live ammunition by State security officials against protesters that has led to “a number of deaths” should be investigated thoroughly and transparently by the Government, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, said on Friday. “We are deeply troubled by the socio-economic crisis that is unfolding in Zimbabwe and the repression of large-scale protests in the country, following the Government’s decision to increase fuel prices,” said spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani. “We call on the Government to find ways of engaging with the population about their legitimate grievances and to stop the crackdown against protesters.” Speaking to journalists in Geneva at the regular biweekly press briefing, Ms. Shamdasani called on the authorities to ensure that...
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January 18, 2019 No comments
UN rights expert calls for civilian protection as fighting escalates between military and armed group
INTERNATIONAL, 18 January 2019, Human Rights - Calling on the Myanmar Government to “immediately reverse its decision not to allow access to all humanitarian organizations”, the United Nations expert on human rights in the South-East Asian country said on Friday, that “it’s vital that assistance is able to reach those who have fled violence in the region”. Voicing alarm at the escalating violence in northern and central Rakhine state and Chin state, the UN Special Rapporteur on human Rights in Myanmar, Yanghee Lee, urged all sides, including the State military and ethnic armed groups, to show restraint and protect civilians. In a statement, Ms. Lee added that “blocking humanitarian access is a serious violation of international humanitarian law”. On 10 January, a letter was sent by the...
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