Posts Tagged ‘United nations’

Israel-Palestine tragedy has simple solution

Thursday, November 23rd, 2023
Israel-Palestine

Nothing will ever be the same in the Holy Land after the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel – and after Israel’s apocalyptic response. So said Francesca Albanese to a Catholic audience in Wellington recently. Albanese is the UN’s Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories. But the Israel-Palestine issue has a simple solution, she Read more

Vatican urges pause on lethal autonomous weapons

Thursday, September 28th, 2023
lethal autonomous weapons

The Holy See’s foreign minister addressed the UN General Assembly, calling for a halt to the deployment of lethal autonomous weapons systems. Archbishop Paul Gallagher joined a chorus of concerns raised by various speakers regarding artificial intelligence (AI). “It is imperative to ensure adequate, meaningful and consistent human oversight of weapon systems,” Gallagher said. “Only Read more

Human Rights Commission gives NZ mixed report card on indigenous rights at United Nations

Thursday, July 27th, 2023

The Human Rights Commission has filed a mixed report card to the United Nations on New Zealand’s commitment to indigenous rights. Addressing a UN expert group in Geneva the commission’s Kaitahutahu Rangatahi, Waimihia Maniapoto-Love said there have been periods of good progress towards tino rangatiratanga alongside periods of inactivity. The Government, the National Iwi Chairs Read more

Vatican State news supports gender equality in Afghanistan

Monday, July 24th, 2023
gender equality

The Vatican state newspaper, Osservatore Romano, has come out in favour of gender equality in Afghanistan. On 20 July, the newspaper dedicated its front page to condemning the Taliban’s decree that all Afghanistan’s beauty centres must close down. The beauty centre closure is a complete shutdown. The Taliban decree is likely to negatively affect thousands Read more

Down syndrome triathlete tells UN that faith inspires him

Thursday, March 23rd, 2023
Catholic triathlete

Just before his first speaking engagement at the UN, a young Catholic triathlete spoke to a television news outlet about his faith. “I am Gabriel, God’s messenger,” 22-year old Gabriel Cobb told OSV News. Cobb, pictured with his parents just before going into the UN New York conference hall added: “My faith is the most Read more

Pope supports global target to eradicate female genital mutilation

Thursday, February 16th, 2023
female genital mutilation

Female genital mutilation must stop, Pope Francis told reporters on the plane when returning from a four-day trip to Bahrain on Sunday. Defending women’s rights, Francis specifically condemned as a “criminal act” female genital mutilation (FGM) and trafficking women for prostitution. Both these crimes are “humiliating affronts to women’s dignity” he said, urging officials to Read more

30,000 and counting … Myanmar’s troops burn homes, churches, villages

Thursday, September 1st, 2022
Myanmar's burning

Myanmar’s military junta has burned nearly 30,000 homes, churches and villages during the past 19 months. That’s how long it is since the junta overthrew Myanmar’s democratically elected government. Domestic research group Data for Myanmar says troops had torched 28,434 houses since the military seized power on 1 February 2021. This year in May and Read more

Abductions and dehumanising treatment of women and children reported

Monday, July 25th, 2022
abductions

Abductions and dehumanising treatment of women and children has become commonplace in Mozambique during the country’s war against terror. The Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) says that in the Cabo Delgado region this includes sexploitation for “free” food rations. “It is prevalent. Since 2020 we have been receiving reports of women and children from Read more

An apology to the Afghan girl

Monday, October 18th, 2021
apology to afghan girl

Oct. 11 was the International Day of the Girl Child, a day to empower young girls and promise them a better future. However, today, I am sorry to say to girls that I do not have good news for you. You have grown up with the promise of a better future. Throughout your life, you Read more

Humanitarian crisis: Yemen, a blip on my radar screen

Thursday, July 29th, 2021
Ukraine Government

After six years of war, “Yemen remains the world’s worst humanitarian catastrophe,” according to the International Rescue Committee. Confirming that terribly sad fact, Catholic Relief Services reports, “Conflict and a lack of aid has triggered a humanitarian disaster, leaving 80 percent of the population in need of assistance, including 2 million children suffering from acute Read more