Political violence against MPs rising worldwide

Head of the IPU, Martin Chungong, told a UN conference in New York on Wednesday that “if the phenomenon goes uncontrolled, there will be major implications for democracies, parliaments and human rights worldwide”. In an interview with UN News, Valentina Grippo, an Italian MP with the European Delegation to the IPU – which partners with […]

UN envoy urges renewed political push as Yemen tensions rise

Hans Grundberg also warned that rising regional tensions risk dragging Yemen back into broader confrontation.  “I ask this Council to remain united in supporting a credible path back to a political process, and I urge regional actors to align around the same purpose and to use their influence in a coordinated way to steer Yemenis […]

Proposed amnesty law offers political prisoners in Venezuela an ‘opportunity’

Proposed amnesty law offers political prisoners in Venezuela an ‘opportunity’

The amnesty is aimed at promoting peace, democratic coexistence and national reconciliation as the South American country enters a new era following the seizure of former President Nicolas Maduro by the United States.  It passed unanimously on 5 February by Venezuelan legislators in the first of two readings. The amnesty “offers an opportunity to provide […]

Nepal crisis: Army deployed as death toll rises amid political turmoil

Nepal crisis: Army deployed as death toll rises amid political turmoil

The unrest began Monday as a self-styled “Gen Z protest” against corruption, nepotism and restrictions on social media. It quickly escalated after security forces opened fire on the crowds. By Tuesday, protesters had stormed and torched parliament, the Supreme Court and multiple government offices, including Singha Durbar – the central administrative complex. Homes of political […]

Syria: Political transition on ‘a knife-edge’ amid military skirmishes

Syria: Political transition on ‘a knife-edge’ amid military skirmishes

Geir Pedersen told ambassadors that in Sweida governate, where sectarian violence in July also spurred conflict in the capital Damascus, the 19 July ceasefire has come under strain, but the conflict has not resumed so far. However, “we are still seeing dangerous hostilities and skirmishes on the margins of Sweida, and violence could resume at any moment,” he […]

UN peacekeeping can work in a fractured world if there is political will

UN peacekeeping can work in a fractured world if there is political will

Under-Secretary-General Jean-Pierre Lacroix and Assistant Secretary-General Marta Pobee briefed the Council on priorities for adapting UN peace operations to foster political solutions. They emphasised the urgent need for the Council and the broader UN membership to overcome divisions and strengthen support for peace operations as unique platforms for advancing diplomacy in conflict zones. “Peacekeeping missions […]

DR Congo: Despite efforts towards a political solution, violence still rages in the east

DR Congo: Despite efforts towards a political solution, violence still rages in the east

Since January, the region has seen a new escalation of violence as the Rwanda-backed M23 armed group launched an offensive in North and South Kivu provinces. While tensions persist in the DRC, both frontlines and negotiation positions are shifting, paving the way for peace, the Security Council heard this Friday. The path to lasting peace in the DRC requires […]

Afghan women face near total social, economic and political exclusion

Afghan women face near total social, economic and political exclusion

But recently, the level of participation has reached a new low – zero. Zero women in national or local decision-making bodies. Zero girls projected to be in secondary education following a December 2024 ban. These numbers are part of the index released Tuesday by gender equality agency UN Women which is the most comprehensive study on […]