THE SECRETARY-GENERAL: MESSAGE ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE RIGHT TO THE TRUTH CONCERNING GROSS HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AND FOR THE DIGNITY OF VICTIMS
24 March 2015 Earlier this year, I had the honour of paying my respects at the gravesite of Monsignor Óscar Arnulfo Romero, who was murdered in El Salvador on this day in 1980. Monsignor Romero was an icon for human rights and social justice. Every year, the United Nations marks the anniversary of…
THE SECRETARY- GENERAL: MESSAGE ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF REMEMBRANCE OF THE VICTIMS OF SLAVERY AND THE TRANSATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE
25 March 2015 Over the course of more than four centuries, some 15 million Africans were taken from their homes across Africa and transported by force to the Americas. The number of people purchased by slave traders was even higher. Those slaves who survived were bought and sold, stripped of all…
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL: MESSAGE ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF SOLIDARITY WITH DETAINED AND MISSING STAFF MEMBERS
25 March 2015 The disturbing and widespread violence and turmoil of the past year also took a toll on United Nations and associated personnel. As of 15 March 2015, 33 UN and associated personnel were detained by State authorities in 15 countries. One staff member is missing and two contractors…
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL: MESSAGE ON THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ENTRY INTO FORCE OF THE BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION
26 March 2015 Today marks the fortieth anniversary of the entry into force of the Biological Weapons Convention, the first multilateral disarmament treaty to ban an entire category of weapons of mass destruction. Over the past four decades, the Biological Weapons Convention has made an important…
UNOCI sensitises the population of the village of Banneu
Promote a peaceful electoral environment; encourage political tolerance social cohesion, and fight against female genital mutilation, were among the main topics discussed during the meeting between the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) and the population of Banneu held on Wednesday…
UNOCI Tour in Boundiali: the local population sensitised on the need to respect human rights and to promote a culture of peace
Community leaders, women and students of Boundiali, a city located at 100 km from Korhogo, were sensitized, on 25 March 2015, on the respect of human rights, the culture of peace and non-violence, by the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI). This activity took place during the…
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL: MESSAGE ON WORLD AUTISM AWARENESS DAY
New York, 2 April 2015 I am hugely encouraged by the growing public awareness of autism spectrum disorders and the increase of public services to many of those affected. World Autism Awareness Day not only fosters greater understanding, it empowers parents into seeking early intervention therapies…