United Nations

UN Trains Tunisian Security on Press Freedom

February 02, 2016

Raising questions regarding the compatibility of the comprehensive UN human-rights agenda and effective security policy, the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization ("UNESCO") has developed a project with the Tunisian government and journalists in which it seeks to train Tunisian security forces on respecting free expression and media rights.
UNEP Central Asian Office Pushes Environment Issues

February 01, 2016

The UN Environment Programme ("UNEP") has opened a new office in Central Asia that will seek to "tighten cooperation" among countries in the region on environmental issues, including the UN's agendas on sustainable development and climate change.
UNEP Signs Environmental Agreement with Islamic Bank

February 01, 2016

The UN Environment Programme ("UNEP") has announced that it signed an agreement with the Islamic Development Bank on climate change and other environmental issues as it seeks to push development banks around the world to implement the UN sustainability agenda and its deal on climate change recently agreed in Paris.
Foundation CEO Pleads Guilty on Bribery of UN Official

January 29, 2016

The Chief Executive of the Global Sustainability Foundation Sheri Yan has pleaded guilty in US federal court to giving bribes to then-President of the UN General Assembly John Ashe as part of a scheme to profit from his support of Chinese business interests.
UN Considers Levies for Aid Funding

January 27, 2016

AFP reports that a UN humanitarian-financing study considers the potential use of "micro-taxes" on goods and services, such as airfare or tickets to sporting events, or from mandatory alms given by Muslims to fund the international organization's humanitarian-assistance agenda.
UN Commission Considers Detroit Water Issues

January 27, 2016

The Detroit News reports that the UN Commission for Social Development is scheduled to hear the testimony of an activist from the nongovernmental organization Detroit Water Brigade on issues relating to the shutting off of water and contamination of water in different communities in Michigan.
UN Report Pushes Government Action on Obesity

January 27, 2016

A report from the UN Commission on Ending Childhood Obesity has published a report containing guidelines for governments, the World Health Organization, nongovernmental organizations, and businesses to end the "alarming increase" in worldwide childhood obesity.
UN Agent Criticizes New Sanctions on Iran

January 27, 2016

Asserting that "there must be another way to overcome diplomatic differences," the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and unilateral sanctions Idriss Jazairy criticized the imposition of fresh sanctions on Iranian individuals and entities implicated in a recent ballistic missile test in the country.
UN Rights Observers Call on France to Adjust Security Measures

January 21, 2016

A group of UN human-rights mandate holders have called on French authorities not to extend the current state of emergency, implemented after the November 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris, past the end of February and to ensure that all special measures taken to protect national security comply with international human rights law.
UN Extremism "Action Plan" Prioritizes Rights, Sustainability

January 21, 2016

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon recently launched a comprehensive violent extremism action plan that supplements a security approach with action on issues ranging from "good jobs," respect for human rights, and "staying faithful" to the UN's sustainability agenda.