United Nations

UN Office Opposes US Policies on Jerusalem, Iran

October 24, 2018

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that a statement by the Australian Prime Minister in favor of relocating the country’s embassy to Jerusalem and reviewing its adherence to the Iran nuclear deal has prompted a response from the office of the UN Secretary-General expressing opposition to US policies on each issue.
US Explores Reduced Exposure to ICJ Rulings

October 10, 2018

CNN reports that, following a decision by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that the US had violated a 1955 Treaty of Amity with Iran by re-imposing sanctions on the country over its nuclear efforts, US officials announced they are withdrawing from the Treaty and will consider action to protect the US against the binding jurisdiction of the ICJ.
Panel: UN Climate Pledges Will Fail to Save Humanity

October 03, 2018

The UN Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change has published a report concluding the UN Paris climate deal's pledge to pursue efforts limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius will not save humanity from the phenomenon's catastrophic impacts and pushing all countries for a peak in carbon emissions by the year 2020.
Trump Rejects Global Governance, “Domination” in UN Speech

September 26, 2018

In his address this week to the UN General Assembly, US President Donald Trump outlined his Administration’s foreign policy preference for “independence and cooperation” over “global governance, control and domination,” and called for respect of each country’s right “to pursue its own customs, beliefs and traditions.”
US Ends Funding for UNRWA

September 05, 2018

The Washington Post reports that the US government has halted funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), established to fund institutions and programs supporting Palestinian refugees, to place pressure on other countries to fund UNRWA and reduce the number of people the agency recognizes as refugees.
UN Official Pushes Europe-wide Approach to Migrant Treatment

September 05, 2018

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi has called for the EU to develop “a collaborative and reliable European approach” toward the treatment of migrants rescued from the Mediterranean Sea who are attempting to reach the continent from Africa.
US Cuts Funding for UN Human Rights Office

September 05, 2018

AP reports that, following the US’s withdrawal from the UN Human Rights Council, US National Security Adviser John Bolton has announced that the US will cut funding for the UN’s Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, signaling continued US pressure on the UN human-rights apparatus to reform and implement US priorities.
UN Agent Seeks Submissions on Poverty in UK

August 31, 2018

The Guardian reports that, following a broadly critical report on US politics relating to taxes and welfare, UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights Philip Alston has issued a call for information on “the most significant human rights violations experienced by people living in poverty and extreme poverty” in the UK, particularly focusing on policies of “austerity.”
Outgoing UN Official: UNSC Structure Could Destroy UN

August 31, 2018

In a statement to reporters, outgoing UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein warned that members of the UN Security Council with veto power are "running too much of the business" and could cause the entire international organization to fold.
UN Agent: Renewed US Sanctions on Iran Violate Rights

August 29, 2018

UN Special Rapporteur Idriss Jazairy has criticized as “illegitimate” and an “injustice” the re-imposition by the US of sanctions on Iran, citing the impacts of the unilateral decision on broadly defined economic and social human rights of Iran’s citizens.