China rights ‘worsen with Games’

Source: BBC News

The human rights situation in China has deteriorated in the run-up to its hosting of the Olympic Games this year, Amnesty International says. It documents the use of “re-education through labour”, the suppression of rights activists and journalists, and the use of arbitrary imprisonment.

U.N. logo designer celebrates 101th birthday

Source: UN’s Washington Office (UNIC)

A little update (Oct. 2011): since this posting was published in July 2008, it has become the most popular of the entire blog. A lot of people are interested in the history of the UN logo… So much so that we decided to publish a booklet on the emblem of the United Nations and its flag. The book is now available on Amazon.com and it’s soon going to be available on the iBookstore and Nook. Click here for more.

Donald McLaughlin… a Hero of the United Nations…

Donal McLaughlin, designer of the UN logo, was honored by his hometown of Garrett Park, Maryland on his 101th birthday on Saturday, July 26 with an honorary renaming of his street. The street sign includes the UN logo that he designed in 1945. Will Davis, director of the UN’s Washington office, provided congratulatory remarks at the event.

The United Nations and the future of the Blue Helmets

Source: International Herald Tribune | by Thorsten Benner, Stephan Mergenthaler and Philipp Rotmann

A French diplomat, Alain Le Roy, has been appointed by the United Nations secretary general, Ban Ki Moon, as the world’s chief peacekeeper. With UN peace operations facing the most serious crisis since Rwanda and Srebrenica, the timing could not be more critical.

Karadzic arrest adds to international tribunals’ credibility

Source: The New York Times | by David Rohde

The arrest of Radovan Karadzic on Monday gave badly needed credibility to international war crimes tribunals that have struggled for years to bring fugitives to justice, according to former prosecutors, legal experts and human rights groups. And the arrest bolstered arguments from tribunal officials that patience, multilateral diplomacy and creativity can make the institutions more effective.

South African tapped for top U.N. human rights post

Source: Los Angeles Times | by Maggie Farley

The secretary-general will name South African Judge Navanethem Pillay as the next U.N. human rights commissioner as early as today, diplomats and U.N. officials said Thursday.

IMF recognizes Kosovo and considers possible membership

by Andreas S. von Warburg

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is the first international institution to formally recognize Kosovo’s independence and to consider the application for admission to membership from the newly-formed Balkan nation, according to a statement by the Washington-based multilateral institution.

Mediterranean Union launched at summit in Paris

Source: Reuters

Leaders of 43 countries from the European Union and the Mediterranean region met in Paris on Sunday for a first summit of the Union for the Mediterranean, an initiative launched by French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

Sudanese president accused of genocide

Source: International Criminal Court

International Criminal Court Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo has presented evidence today showing that Sudanese President, Omar Hassan Ahmad Al Bashir committed the crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in Darfur.