‘Hate speech is poison in the well of society,’ says Guterres

‘Hate speech is poison in the well of society,’ says Guterres

“It is an alarm bell: the louder it rings, the greater the threat of genocide,” he warned. As part of its core mission to combat hatred, discrimination, racism and inequality, the UN is stepping up efforts to challenge hate speech wherever it arises. “Hate speech is poison in the well of society. It has paved […]

Guterres to launch life-saving campaign strengthening mine action worldwide

Guterres to launch life-saving campaign strengthening mine action worldwide

António Guterres announced the move in a statement issued on Monday, in response to plans by several UN Member States to withdraw from the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention. The 1997 treaty, also known as the Ottawa Convention, prohibits the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of these weapons.  Landmark global agreeement Since then, it “has led […]

Guterres calls for an end to ocean ‘plunder’ as UN summit opens in France

Guterres calls for an end to ocean ‘plunder’ as UN summit opens in France

“The ocean is the ultimate shared resource,” he told delegates gathered at the port of Nice. “But we are failing it.” Oceans, he warned, are absorbing 90 per cent of the excess heat from greenhouse gas emissions and buckling under the strain: overfishing, rising temperatures, plastic pollution, acidification. Coral reefs are dying. Fish stocks are […]

World News in Brief: Guterres condemns antisemitic attacks, ILO to debate pros and cons of working online, Sudan, Ukraine updates

World News in Brief: Guterres condemns antisemitic attacks, ILO to debate pros and cons of working online, Sudan, Ukraine updates

A man was arrested in Boulder after reportedly using a flamethrower and Molotov cocktails to set people on fire at an event in support of Israeli hostages in Gaza on Sunday. The suspect reportedly yelled “Free Palestine” during the attack and now faces federal hate crime charges along with multiple felonies. The attack injured at […]

Gaza: Guterres urges probe into killings at food distribution sites

Gaza: Guterres urges probe into killings at food distribution sites

More than 30 people were killed and over 100 wounded while waiting in the early morning to get food from two sites in Rafah and Middle Gaza run by the newly established Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), according to media reports. The organization is backed by Israel and the United States and uses private US security […]

‘Justice is long overdue’: Guterres calls for reparations for enslavement and colonialism

‘Justice is long overdue’: Guterres calls for reparations for enslavement and colonialism

“Africa is a continent of boundless energy and possibility. But for too long, the colossal injustices inflicted by enslavement, the transatlantic slave trade and colonialism have been left unacknowledged and unaddressed,” he said. The United Nations has repeatedly said that slavery and the transatlantic slave trade constituted crimes against humanity, and the Secretary-General has repeatedly […]

Guterres calls on Israel to accept UN’s ‘detailed, principled’ aid plan for Gaza

Guterres calls on Israel to accept UN’s ‘detailed, principled’ aid plan for Gaza

Addressing reporters outside the Security Council, António Guterres called once again for a permanent ceasefire to end the fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas militants, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and full humanitarian access so aid can flow in following nearly 80 days of Israeli blockade. ‘Cruellest phase’ He said Palestinians in […]

Guterres strongly condemns killing of Israeli diplomats in US capital

Guterres strongly condemns killing of Israeli diplomats in US capital

The diplomats were gunned down on Wednesday night as they left an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in central Washington DC, where the American Jewish Committee was hosting a reception.  They were identified as Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and Sarah Milgrim, 26, who were about to be engaged, according to officials and family members. A […]

At Arab League Summit, Guterres reiterates call for Gaza ceasefire

At Arab League Summit, Guterres reiterates call for Gaza ceasefire

António Guterres told leaders meeting in the Iraqi capital that “the region and the world face trials and tests on all fronts,” starting with the situation in Gaza. He reiterated that neither the atrocious 7 October 2023 terror attacks by Hamas nor the collective punishment of the Palestinian people can be justified. Permanent ceasefire now […]

Gaza: Guterres hails hostage release, renews ceasefire call

Gaza: Guterres hails hostage release, renews ceasefire call

Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old American-Israeli national and soldier with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), had been held by Hamas since the brutal 7 October 2023 attacks on Israel in which roughly 1,200 people were killed and another 250 taken hostage. He is believed to be the last living American held by militants in Gaza, according […]

Guterres welcomes India-Pakistan ceasefire | UN News

Guterres welcomes India-Pakistan ceasefire | UN News

The UN chief’s statement, released on Saturday, came shortly after news broke of a decision by the two countries to de-escalate a situation that has caused widespread alarm in recent days. Tensions had been steadily raising, after a group of gunmen fired on tourists visiting Jammu and Kashmir on 22 April, killing at least 26 […]

Guterres alarmed by Israeli plans to expand Gaza ground offensive

Guterres alarmed by Israeli plans to expand Gaza ground offensive

 “This will inevitably lead to countless more civilians killed and the further destruction of Gaza,” said UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq, responding to a journalist’s question during the regular media briefing in New York. “What’s imperative now is an end to the violence, not more civilian deaths and destruction. Gaza is, and must remain, an […]

‘Step back from the brink’, Guterres urges India and Pakistan

‘Step back from the brink’, Guterres urges India and Pakistan

Addressing journalists outside the Security Council at UN Headquarters in New York, Mr. Guterres expressed deep concern over deteriorating relations between the two South Asian neighbours, saying they had reached “their highest in years.” He reiterated his condemnation of the 22 April terror attack in the Pahalgam area of Jammu and Kashmir, which killed at […]

Guterres condemns violence against civilians in Syria, urges Israel to stop attacks

Guterres condemns violence against civilians in Syria, urges Israel to stop attacks

UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said on Friday that the Secretary-General “has been monitoring with alarm the reports of violence in the suburbs of Damascus and in the south of Syria, including reports of civilian casualties and assassination of local administration figures.” More than 100 people have reportedly been killed in recent days during clashes with […]

World News in Brief: Guterres on India-Pakistan tensions, eastern DR Congo update, weather boost for locusts in Africa

World News in Brief: Guterres on India-Pakistan tensions, eastern DR Congo update, weather boost for locusts in Africa

UN Secretary-General Guterres has spoken to leaders on both sides on India-Pakistan tensions. “This morning, he spoke separately by telephone with Muhammad Shebaz Sharif, the Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and he also spoke earlier in the day with Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, the Minister for External Affairs of the Republic of India,” said […]

Guterres condemns deadly attack in Jammu and Kashmir

Guterres condemns deadly attack in Jammu and Kashmir

UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, responding to inquiries, emphasised the Secretary-General’s condemnation of the attack. Media reports indicate that a gunman opened fire on a group of people near Pahalgam, in the region’s south, leaving more than two dozen dead. Mr. Guterres extends his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, said Mr. Dujarric, underscoring “that attacks […]