By Kester Kenn Klomegah MOSCOW (IDN) – Russian President Vladimir Putin is keen to deepen and strengthen relations with the former Soviet republics, particularly those which initially formed the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and joined the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) after the breakup in 1991. Russia was internationally recognized as the successor state […]
UN Working Group Condemns Racial Discrimination of Ecuadorians of African Descent
By Jaya Ramachandran GENEVA (IDN) – Independent experts of a UN Working Group are “deeply concerned about the human rights situation of people of African descent” in Ecuador. After an official visit, a follow-up of a similar mission in 2009, the experts said, despite the progressive provisions of the Constitution, recognition of the collective rights […]
Rising Concern in Russia About Spiralling Arms Race
By Kester Kenn Klomegah MOSCOW (IDN) – Russia is convinced that proliferation risks and threats that are rampant today can be eliminated by the strict observance of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), while respecting and ensuring the balance between its three components: nonproliferation, disarmament and peaceful use of nuclear energy. The […]
The Story of a Kyrgyz Mother Bride Kidnapped as A Teenager
By Aqila Hassanzada* NARYN, Kyrgyzstan (IDN) – Mairam Bibi says her sons will not follow in their father’s footsteps – an abductor who kidnapped a teenage girl and forced her into a violent marriage. At the age of 41, Mairam is sitting in her small straw house telling the story so many women in Kyrgyzstan […]
A Kyrgyz Activist Translates UNICEF Mandate into Action
By Sehar Naz Janani NARYN, Kyrgyzstan (IDN) – His pale skin, teary eyes, shivering body and trembling voice added to the air of grave solemnity pervading the room. Breaking the dead silence, his mouth slowly started murmuring, “I am an orphan… But, I have a sister… She beats me every now and then” and added, […]
Chilean Women Fight for Genuine Gender Equality
By Pía Figueroa The writer is Co-Director of Pressenza, humanist, author of several monographs and books. This feature appeared first in www.pressenza.com. SANTIAGO DE CHILE (IDN) – The hashtag #lastesissenior was broadcast on Twitter December 6. It had not been communicated before by social networks. It quickly became a trending topic in Chile. And this […]
Strategic Talks Reinforce UNIDO Partnership with Germany
By Jutta Wolf BERLIN (IDN) – Germany and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) have agreed to strengthen their partnership towards the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). During high-level strategic talks in Berlin, hosted by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) on November 26-27, Germany and UNIDO underlined […]
Adaptation Course for Kazakh Children Returned from Iraq
By Aidana Yergaliyeva NUR-SULTAN | BAGHDAD (IDN | The Astana Times) – Kazakhstan’s humanitarian operation on November 27 brought 14 children back to their homeland from an Iraqi prison, where they have been living for two years with their mothers. The life “after” will start for them with courses of rehabilitation at Pravo public fund’s […]
Russia Frustrated About U.S. Stance on New START
By Kingston Reif and Shannon Bugos* WASHINGTON, DC (IDN | Arms Control Association) – Top Russian Foreign Ministry officials have issued a fresh set of warnings about the future of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) because, they say, the Trump administration continues to refuse to engage in talks on extending the treaty. […]
Fulfil the Rights of Afro-descendants in Latin America and the Caribbean
Viewpoint by Natalia Kanem Following are extensive extracts from the Statement by UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem at the High-level Meeting on “Accelerating global action for the fulfilment of rights for Afro-descendant people in Latin America and the Caribbean”, San José, Costa Rica, in October 2019. NEW YORK (IDN-INPS) – Leave no one behind […]