Posts filed under 'Middle East'

Major NATO Operation Launched In Afghanistan

March 8th, 2007 at 08:52am

At the request of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force and Afghan National Security Forces launched a major operation on March 6th. The operation will focus on assisting the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in improving its ability to begin reconstruction and economic development in the area, as well as improving security conditions.

For more information, see here.

UNHCR to Convene Conference on Iraqi Refugees

March 5th, 2007 at 09:29pm

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Guterres, praised Arab states this week for welcoming Iraqi refugees. He also expressed his concern over rising intolerance, racism, and xenophobia and the effect this could have on Muslim refugees. Guterres announced that UNHCR will hold an international conference on the humanitarian needs of Iraqi refugees and internally displaced persons from April 17-18 in Geneva.

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=21753&Cr=iraq&Cr1=

UN Urges International Support for Iraqi Refugees

February 11th, 2007 at 09:56pm

UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Guterres, is urging the international community to support states hosting Iraqi refugees. UNHCR estimates that approximately 2 million Iraqis have fled to neighboring countries as a result of the war, with Syria and Jordan hosting the vast majority of them.

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=21505&Cr=iraq&Cr1=

UN Refugee Agency Expresses Concern for Palestinians in Iraq

January 29th, 2007 at 07:49am

The UNHCR reports that Palestinians in Iraq have been the targets of increasing violence since the overthrow of Saddam Hussein in 2003. There have been reports of threats, kidnappings, torture, and murder. Hundreds of Palestinians have fled to the Syrian border, but Syria has refused to accept them, leaving them stranded. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees is urging neighboring countries and the international community to help the refugees.

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=21348&Cr=palestin&Cr1=

Bahrain Accedes to WIPO’s Patent Cooperation Treaty

January 19th, 2007 at 06:13pm

Upon depositing its instrument of accession at WIPO on December 18, 2006, Bahrain became the 136th contracting state of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). The Treaty will enter into force for Bahrain on March 18, 2007. The PCT allows for the filing of a single “international” patent treaty which applies as if a national patent application had been filed with the national patent office of each contracting state, eliminating the need for applicants to file separate patent applications with each individual member country.

For further information: http://www.wipo.int/edocs/prdocs/en/2007/wipo_upd_2007_284.html

Iraq Executes Saddam’s Co-defendants Despite UN Concerns

January 16th, 2007 at 03:46pm

Saddam Hussein’s two co-defendants were executed today (1/15/07) in Iraq. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour had appealed to Iraqi President Jalal Talabani to stay the executions due to concerns over the fairness of the trial and the appeals process. Arbour and Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon released statements expressing their regret over today’s executions.

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=21236&Cr=iraq&Cr1=

UN High Commissioner Appeals to Iraqi President

January 6th, 2007 at 01:09pm

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour has appealed to Iraqi President Jalal Talabani to prevent the execution of two of Saddam Hussein’s co-defendants. Arbour argued that international law allows the death penalty only in exceptional circumstances and that international obligations require Iraq to give the two men an opportunity to seek commutation or pardon. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has given his support to Arbour’s appeal.

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=21147&Cr=iraq&Cr1= 

UN Human Rights Expert Criticizes Saddam’s Execution

January 4th, 2007 at 03:27pm

NYU Law Professor Philip Alston, the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, finds that glaring flaws in the trial of Saddam Hussein denied him a fair hearing. He specifically criticizes the speed with which the execution followed the final judgment, barring Saddam from any meaningful appeal. He also finds that the mocking Saddam was subjected to during his execution, and the subsequent release of the footage to the world, was a clear violation of human rights laws. The first step towards reform of Iraq’s justice system, according to Alston, would be to halt the execution of Saddam’s co-defendants.

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=21155&Cr=iraq&Cr1=

UN Report Condemns Israel’s Actions in Lebanon

December 4th, 2006 at 06:33pm

A report mandated by the Human Rights Council on Israel’s summer war with Hizbollah in Lebanon was presented in Geneva on Friday. The report states that Israel’s actions were excessive, not justified by military necessity and went beyond the arguments of proportionality. The report claims that Israel violated obligations of international and humanitarian law. Israel spoke out against the report, saying the report ignored the obligations of the Lebanese Government to prevent the use of its territory for hostile acts, and to disarm and disband Hizbollah.

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=20832&Cr=lebanon&Cr1=council

Desmond Tutu to Head UN Probe of Beit Hanoun Killings

December 2nd, 2006 at 08:10pm

Desmond Tutu will head the UN Human Rights Council fact-finding mission into the attack on Beit Hanoun that killed 19 Palestinian civilians. Part of the mission is to make recommendations on ways and means to protect Palestinian civilians against further Israeli assaults. Israel claims the attack, caused by Israeli military operations in Gaza, was the result of a technical error. Israel has apologized. A progress report is due no later than mid-December.

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=20776&Cr=palestin&Cr1=

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