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| UN Wire |
| July 31, 2009 |
Iranian protesters meet fresh suppression as mourners
Thousands gathered around new grave sites in Iran to commemorate the deaths of those lost in violence after the disputed presidential elections and to protest the continuing government suppression of protesters. As per tradition, the grave of Iranian Neda Agha Soltan, an icon after death, saw thousands of mourners gather on the 40th day after her death -- as well as police, who barred the entry of opposition figurehead Mir Hossein Mousavi. Plainclothes officers beat down crowds, launched tear gas and reportedly arrested many. NYTimes.com (7/30) Los Angeles Times/Babylon & Beyond blog (7/30) Google/The Associated Press (7/30)
Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu. Read the full story.
I am overwhelmed, deeply honored, humbled and I am something that I don't often get to be, speechless."
Excerpts from UN Dispatch
UN Dispatch: The White House just announced 16 recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. According to the White House release, "America's highest civilian honor, the Medal of Freedom is awarded to individuals who make an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors." Two of the recipients are folks that travel in our circles. UN Foundation board member and micro-lending pioneer Muhammad Yunus and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson. Desmond Tutu, Harvey Milk and Stephen Hawking were also among the 16 named. UN Dispatch (1/21)
United Nations Radio
USA signs UN treaty on the Rights of the Disabled UN Radio (12/14)
UN envoy: Somalia in need of urgent help
The Somali government needs immediate international support to fight off an attempt by militants to seize control, the United Nations' top Somalia envoy Ahmedou Ould Abdallah told the Security Council. In addition to military equipment, security forces training and money to pay salaries, Abdallah recommended the creation of a well-protected "Green Zone" in Mogadishu. Google/The Associated Press (7/30)
UN votes to extend Darfur mission mandate
The UN Security Council members voted unanimously to extend the mandate of a joint UN-African Union peacekeeping mission in the Darfur region of Sudan. The force, which gradually has been deployed to the region, is expected to reach 90% of its full operating complement by the end of the year. The Washington Post/Reuters (7/30)
Other News
Italy approves use of RU486 despite Vatican opposition
Despite visceral opposition from the Vatican, the Italian government approved the use of RU486, known as the abortion drug. The Italian Drug Agency ruled the drug cannot be sold over the counter but can be administered by doctors in hospitals. The drug has been opposed by the Catholic Church since its introduction in France 20 years ago. The Guardian (London)/The Associated Press (7/31)
WHO: Mothers need more assistance with breastfeeding
New mothers are not given the help they need to successfully breastfeed their newborns, leading many to give up trying, the World Health Organization says. Breastfeeding helps strengthen infants' immune systems, and broader use could save 1.3 million babies a year. AlertNet/Reuters (7/31)
Other News
Warming Arctic tundra might accelerate climate change
Regions of Arctic tundra are rapidly heating, releasing more carbon gases that are accelerating the effect at a rate faster than predicted. Larger plants are beginning to occupy territory once reserved for small shrubs, lichens and other tundra flora. Since 1970, temperatures on the tundra have risen 1 degree Celsius -- the greatest recorded degree of warming anywhere. Reuters (7/29)
World's fisheries can recover
Careful management could help the world's fisheries recover from overfishing and avoid the worst predictions of an impending collapse, according to a study published in the journal Science. Tools recommended by researchers to aid recovery include restrictions on gear that trap smaller fish, sustainability certifications and closing off some areas to fishing. AlertNet/Reuters (7/30)
Other News
Tutu, Yunus, Robinson to be honored by Obama
U.S. President Barack Obama will award South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu the Presidential Medal of Freedom, a decoration intended to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to U.S. national interest, world peace or culture. Microfinance pioneer, Nobel laureate and United Nations Foundation board member Muhammad Yunus was among the 16 honorees, as was former Irish president and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson. Mail & Guardian (South Africa) (7/31) Google/The Associated Press (7/30) BBC (7/31)
Torture questions disrupt intelligence operations
U.S. President Barack Obama's clear stance against the use of abusive counter-terrorism techniques has raised the specter of investigations and trials into the behavior of U.S. and allied intelligence agencies, and thrown intelligence systems into disarray, The Economist writes. The controversy already is affecting how agencies share information. The Economist (7/30)
China renews NGO crackdown
A group advocating for China's Hepatitis B sufferers is the latest civil society organization to be targeted by Chinese authorities. Observers believe the crackdown is related to security fears for the upcoming 60-year anniversary of China's communist revolution. NYTimes.com (7/30)
Verdict for Suu Kyi delayed
A verdict for the parole violation case against democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi was delayed by the Myanmar court overseeing the case, citing technical reasons. The verdict has been rescheduled for Aug. 11. NYTimes.com (7/31) Financial Times (free content)/Reuters (7/31)
Nigerian Taliban leader shot and killed in police custody
Mohammed Yusuf, the leader of the Boko Haram sect, which is sometimes described as the Nigerian Taliban, was shot and killed in police custody. His death might provoke more violence, though his followers were in disarray after the shelling of the Boko Haram compound in Maiduguri. A government minister expressed relief at his death. The Washington Post/The Associated Press (7/31) BBC (7/31)
Afghanistan, Pakistan conflicts spill into Central Asia
Recent violent clashes in Tajikistan suggest the conflicts that have threatened to submerge Afghanistan and Pakistan might be spilling over the borders of their Central Asian neighbors. National security and border issues were the central subject of conversation at a recent summit of the presidents of Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Russia. The Christian Science Monitor (7/30)
U.S. adviser offers blunt memo on Iraq
An unusually blunt memo prepared by a U.S. adviser to the Iraqi military's command in Baghdad said the time had come for the U.S. to declare victory and exit Iraq, saying the Iraqi military's manifold weaknesses were unlikely to improve. Widespread corruption and susceptibility to Shiite political pressure were named as natural limits on the performance of the Iraqi military -- limits that would not be changed by the extended presence of U.S. troops. NYTimes.com (7/30)
Vietnam War cleanup far from over
It will be another 300 years and cost more than $10 billion to clear the bombs, shells and mines left behind by the Vietnam War, Vietnamese officials say. Bombs and mines have killed or maimed more than 22,000 people since the end of hostilities in 1975. AlertNet/Reuters (7/31)
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