Blog Roundup #101

A sampling of United Nations related blog commentary

Sudan Watch: Just in from Reuters via Scotsman: the UN Security Council voted today to impose sanctions on four Sudanese accused of abuses in the Darfur conflict – excerpt of report by Evelyn Leopold: “The vote on a US-drafted resolution was 12 to 0 with three abstentions — Russia, China and Qatar, the only Arab member of the 15-nation council. The sanctions, a travel ban and a freeze on assets abroad, were the first adopted against individuals involved in the Darfur war.” Austin Bay: “Salah Nasrawi reports for the Associated Press that bin Laden is urging jihadis to head for Sudan. Why? To prepare to wage holy war against…get ready… The United Nations. The AP’s lede: Osama bin Laden issued ominous new threats in an audiotape broadcast Sunday, saying the West was at war with Islam and calling on his followers to go to Sudan to fight a proposed U.N. force.”

Paper Chase: “Leading Monday’s international brief, the UN Office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Nepal [official website] warned the Nepal government [monarchy website] again that international standards governing police actions during times of civil unrest must be observed as part of Nepal’s international legal obligations. The statement [text] warned that the use of live rounds and targeted rubber bullets violated the international standards governing police actions during times of civil unrest. The OHCHR also raised concerns about the treatment being received by female protestors at the hands of male police officers. Nepal is in its 19th day of pro-democracy protests. eKantipur.com has local coverage.

It’s Getting Hot in Here: “Youth climate leaders from around the world will coverge on the Youth Energy Blast in New York on April 29, 2006 at Columbia University with the mission of sharing their skills and preparing for the 14th Session UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD), themed this year around energy development & climate change. The purpose of the Youth Energy Blast is to empower our generation-wide movement to confront the energy crisis.”