Amid the widespread use of sanctions and counter-terrorism legislation, more transparency and human rights impact assessments were needed when imposing unilateral coercive measures, the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) heard today, continuing its consideration of the promotion and protection of human rights.
This afternoon, the General Assembly reaffirmed its faith in the United Nations and its unfailing commitment to the purposes and principles of the 70-year-old Organization’s Charter.
More research into the effects of atomic radiation on humans, especially at low-dose rates, was urgently needed, speakers in the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) said today as it took up the issue this afternoon, unanimously approving a related draft resolution.
The Security Council this morning extended the arms embargo on Somalia until 15 November 2016 while reaffirming the country’s sovereignty over its natural resources. It also reaffirmed the arms embargo on Eritrea.
The overall effect of restrictive State law enforcement policies had put migrants at a greater risk, rendering them more vulnerable to human rights abuses and violations, the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) heard today as six United Nations human rights experts presented reports on issues spanning from the right to food to trafficking.
Space security, safety and sustainability dominated debate today in the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) and although there was broad agreement on the need to preserve that realm for the public good, divergent views emerged on how best to achieve that, with some speakers defending a non-legally binding code of conduct that took into account the political environment while others called for a binding treaty via an inclusive and transparent process.
Following recent delays, warring parties in Yemen had agreed to take part in United Nations‑sponsored peace talks aimed at ending the fighting based on the framework set out in resolution 2216 (2015), the Secretary‑General’s Special Envoy in that country told the Security Council today, underlining the importance of its support to both sides, as positions remained “very divergent”.
Capturing illicit financial flows could provide a “hidden resource” for funding development, delegates heard today at a joint meeting of the Second Committee (Economic and Financial) and the Economic and Social Council.
As the Sixth Committee (Legal) began deliberations on the Programme of Assistance in the Teaching, Study, Dissemination and Wider Appreciation of International Law today, speakers lauded not only the Programme’s fiftieth anniversary, but the achievement of its long-standing goal for funding of its core programmes to be requested by the Secretary-General in the regular budget.
As major cross-cutting issues, outer space security and sustainability must be addressed in a holistic manner within multilateral forums, senior United Nations officials in the field of outer space affairs emphasized today as they addressed a joint ad hoc meeting of the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) and the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security).
