The urgency of building peace
14/7/2025: There are more armed conflicts today than at any point since the end of World War II. The chair of the UN Peacebuilding Commission explains how the project strives to help countries rebuild after war and sustain peace over the long run.
Source: Devex
Gaza: ‘Unacceptable’ choice between getting shot or getting fed
11/7/2025: The UN Human Rights Office has serious concerns about respect for essential international humanitarian law in relation to killings of Gazans at or around aid distribution sites operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Since 27 May, the Office has recorded 798 killings in the vicinity of the Foundation sites.
Source: UN News
US sanctions UN expert Francesca Albanese over Israel criticism
9/7/2025: The US administration has imposed sanctions on the UN special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territory over her documentation of Israel’s abuses against Palestinians during its war on Gaza. Albanese appears to dismiss the Trump administration’s economic penalties, calling them ‘mafia-style intimidation techniques’.
Source: Al Jazeera
Europe’s top rights court finds Russia responsible for downing of MH17
9/7/2025: Europe's top human rights court has ruled unanimously that Russia was responsible for the downing of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 in 2014 and also that Moscow has repeatedly and systematically violated human rights in Ukraine. The court is expected to rule in due course on possible compensation but it has no way of enforcing its rulings.
Source: Reuters
UN concern at withdrawals from landmines treaty
2/7/2025: The UN’s top human rights official has expressed grave alarm that six European countries are either in the process of or are considering withdrawing from the international treaty prohibiting anti-personnel mines. The number of civilians killed and injured by mines increased by 22 per cent in 2024.
Guterres calls for immediate Gaza ceasefire
27/6/2025: The UN Secretary-General has reiterated his call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, warning that the humanitarian crisis has reached “horrific proportions.” He also said that "the only sustainable path to re-establishing hope is by paving the way to the two-State solution."
Source: UN News
UN warns of spiralling Iran-Israel war
20/6/2025: The UN Secretary-General has made an urgent plea for de-escalation of the conflict between Israel and Iran. There are warnings that Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities are degrading critical safety systems and placing millions at potential radiological risk.
Source: UN News
Hungary withdraws from ICC
16/6/2025: Hungary has formally notified the UN secretary-general that it is withdrawing from the treaty establishing the International Criminal Court. The move follows the visit to Hungary by the Israeli Prime Minister despite an ICC warrant against him for serious crimes in Gaza.
Source: Human Rights Watch
US threatens UN members seeking a two-state solution for Palestine
13/6/2025: The Trump administration is threatening diplomatic consequences for any governments opposing US policies at a high-level UN conference on a peaceful settlement to the Gaza conflict.
Source: Inter Press Service
Military conflicts at historic high
12/6/2025: A report by the Peace Research Institute Oslo identifies a staggering 61 conflicts across 36 countries last year, the highest number of state-based armed conflicts in over seven decades. Africa remained the most conflict-affected region.
Source: Inter Press Service