All isn’t over: Berlin urges Syria talks around ‘one table’ in Geneva
German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel has warned all is not over yet in Syria despite various declarations of victory and peace and called for immediate UN-sponsored talks involving various players “around one table in Geneva.” “No matter how much we wish there were peace after the long years of violence and conflict, the Syria crisis is not yet over. The ongoing fighting continues to affect many people with unrelenting...
The missing accountability in attacks on Syria civilians
Accountability remains elusive in attacks on civilians in Syria, says the UN. Strongly condemning recent attacks on civilians, hospitals and clinics, and camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Syria, a United Nations-mandated human rights inquiry called [11 May 2016] on all parties to cease the unlawful attacks and return to a full cessation of hostilities. “These incidents demonstrate the undeniable fact that this conflict...
Early days yet for any ‘Global Compact’ on refugee crisis
An upcoming UN plan for addressing the unprecedented global refugee crisis could be a game-changer if governments back it up with concrete and long-term commitments, advocacy group Amnesty International said [9 May 2016]. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will publish a report [9 May 2016] proposing a ‘Global Compact on responsibility-sharing’ to create a more predictable and equitable way of responding to large movements...