Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi invoked at UN to underline importance of press freedom

“We advocate for the strengthening of policies that promote free, independent, and pluralistic media, thereby fostering a vibrant and robust public sphere, a pillar of peaceful, just, inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous societies”, they said.

Bangladesh to join non-UN international force in Haiti

Bangladesh is taking a bold step in joining the mission after the catastrophic end to the previous UN mission with military peacekeepers ended in 2017 amid accusations that Nepali troops introduced a strain of cholera from South Asia.

South Asia gaining in foreign investment as developed economies seek out India as an alternative manufacturing base

The report released on Tuesday said that in contrast to large swathes of the developing countries, “investment in South Asia, particularly in India, remains strong”.

India-backed landmark resolution on AI safeguards adopted unanimously at UNGA

The unanimity at the UN underscores the fears over AI’s potential to disrupt politics and society through deep fakes and spreading misinformation, and its more sinister capabilities in warfare, development of weapons and disrupting economies.

More on UN Watch

UNHRO criticizes Sri Lankan presidential pardon to former MP

The United Nations Human Rights Office has dubbed as “selective” and “arbitrary” the presidential pardon granted to a former Sri Lankan MP convicted to life imprisonment for the murder of a fellow politician

Sri Lanka asked to address 'harmful legacies' of war: UNHRC Core Group

The UNHRC Core Group on Sri Lanka has called upon the island nation’s government to address the harmful legacies of war and protect human rights, including those from religious minorities

UN envoy to Afghanistan criticizes Taliban’s intense military campaign

Deborah Lyons, the United Nations envoy in Afghanistan, has criticized the Taliban’s recent “intensive military campaign”, warning that it would lead to continued violence in the country

India, G4 allies force amendment to UNGA decision on SC reforms, despite Pakistan, China opposition

India and its G4 allies have forced General Assembly President Volkan Bozkir to accept an amendment to the decision on rolling Security Council reform negotiations to the next Assembly session during a meeting at which he and Germany's Permanent Representative Christoph Heusgen clashed openly, dropping the genteel style of diplomacy

Peace in Afghanistan requires zero tolerance for terrorism: India

As Afghanistan prepares for the pullout of the US troops, peace there requires zero tolerance for terrorism and those supporting terrorists must be held accountable, according to India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar

Grave violations against children in conflict ‘alarmingly high’, UN report reveals

More than 19,300 boys and girls affected by war last year were victims of grave violations such as recruitment or rape, and the COVID-19 pandemic made it difficult for experts to reach them, the UN said in its annual report on Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC), published on Monday

Pandemic ‘rolled back’ sustainable development funding for weak economies: UNCTAD

Financial assistance to the world’s 83 weakest economies fell by 15 per cent in 2020, to $35 billion as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic, UN trade and development experts UNCTAD said on Monday

Human Rights Council urged to support UN chief’s call for a 'new social contract' after COVID-19

UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet on Monday urged UN Member States to promote a more inclusive post-pandemic recovery to help the world’s most vulnerable recover from the impact of COVID

International forces' withdrawal from Afghanistan is creating fear for the future, says UN human rights chief

Michelle Bachelet, the United Nations human rights chief, has expressed concern over the “sharp increase in violence” and harm to civilians in Afghanistan

Sri Lanka’s counter-terrorism laws perceived as anti-minority, says UN rights chief

Michelle Bachelet, the United Nations human rights chief, has expressed concern over the Sri Lankan government’s new measure which she says are “perceived” as targeting the country’s minority Muslim and Tamil population

'Misplaced, exaggerated': India rebuts UNHRC criticism on new IT rules

India has described the concerns raised by a special branch of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) as "misplaced, exaggerated and disingenuous"

Ship fire caused significant damage to planet: UN on MV-X Press Pearl incident off Colombo

The sinking of a container ship that caught fire while transporting chemicals off capital Colombo has caused “significant damage to the planet” by releasing hazardous substances into the ecosystem, the UN representative in Sri Lanka said

UN Secretary-General has informed G7 about Bangladesh’s ability to produce Covid vaccines

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has informed the Group of Seven (G7), a political forum comprising the world’s seven largest advanced economies, about Bangladesh’s ability to produce Covid-19 vaccines at their recent summit

India abstains from voting on UN resolution on Myanmar; stands with ASEAN initiative

India on Friday abstained from voting on the United Nations General Assembly's (UNGA's) resolution for an arms embargo against Myanmar, saying it did not correspond to its views

Forced displacement at record level globallyl, despite COVID shutdowns: UNHCR

The number of people fleeing wars, violence, persecution, and human rights violations, rose last year to nearly 82.4 million people, a further four percent increase on top of the already record-high of 79.5 million, recorded at the end of 2019