Background Release

VERNOR MUÑOZ VILLALOBOS APPOINTED UN SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON RIGHT TO EDUCATION

(Reissued as received.)

GENEVA, 30 August (UN Information Service) -- United Nations Commission on Human Rights Chairman Mike Smith has appointed Vernor Muñoz Villalobos of Costa Rica as Special Rapporteur on the right to education.  The appointment was made on 13 July 2004 in consultation with representatives of the different regional groups in the Commission.

Secretary-General, deeply concerned by violent attacks in Afghanistan,

 

Calls for necessary safety, security for electoral workers

 

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

2004 UNITED NATIONS PROGRAMME OF FELLOWSHIPS ON DISARMAMENT STARTS IN GENEVA

(Reissued as received.)

GENEVA, 30 August (UN Information Service) -- The 2004 United Nations Programme of Fellowships on Disarmament starts today at the United Nations Office at Geneva with the participation of young diplomats from 30 Member States of the United Nations.  The programme will last for a period of almost 10 weeks.

UN REQUESTS MORE FUNDS TO MEET HUMANITARIAN NEEDS IN CHAD

 

NEW YORK, 27 August (OCHA) -- The United Nations is now asking the international community for $166 million to address humanitarian needs in Chad until the end of the year.  Its initial appeal, which it launched last March, was for $54 million.  Thus far, current contributions and pledges amount to $80 million, or 48 per cent of the revised requirements.

UNEP Launches First Report on State of Environment

 

in Democratic People's Republic of Korea

 

Identifies Priority Issues for International Response

(Reissued as received.)

ON INTERNATIONAL DAY OF DISAPPEARED, UN HUMAN RIGHTS

 

WORKING GROUP EXPRESSES SERIOUS CONCERN

 

(Reissued as received.)

GENEVA, 27 August (UN Information Service) -- On the occasion of the International Day of the Disappeared (30 August), the United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances is issuing today the following message:

‘jews everywhere must feel that the United Nations is their home, too,’

Secretary-General tells seminar on anti-semitism

Daylong Programme Is First in Series on ‘Unlearning Intolerance’

United Nations Holds Workshop on Space-Based Monitoring, Protection of Environment

(Reissued as received.)

SECURITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON LIBERIA UPDATES TRAVEL BAN LIST

On 25 August 2004, the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1521 (2003) concerning Liberia decided to add the following three individuals to the list of persons subject to the travel restrictions imposed by paragraph 4 (a) of resolution 1521 (2003) (the Travel Ban List):

Mr. Martin George

Ms. Grace Minor

Mr. Edwin Snowe