Oceania is a geographical, often geopolitical, region consisting of numerous lands—mostly islands but sometimes including Australia—in the Pacific Ocean and vicinity. The exact scope of Oceania is defined variously, with interpretations including Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and those parts of Indonesia east of the Wallace Line.

For the oceans of the Earth, see Oceans.

Overview

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The primary use of the term Oceania is to describe a macrogeographical region that lies between Asia and the Americas, with the Australian continent as the major landmass and consisting of some 10,000 islands in the Pacific. The name Oceania is used because, unlike the other regional groupings, it is the ocean and adjacent seas rather than a continent that link the lands together.

More on [ Oceania ]

UN News Centre - Human Rights

UNESCO chief backs G8 call on Iran to respect human rights
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0500
The head of the United Nations agency tasked with upholding freedom of expression and press freedom today voiced his strong support for the recent call issued by the foreign ministers of the Group of Eight (G8) nations on Iran to respect fundamental human rights.
Independent UN rights expert criticizes seizure of aid boat by Israeli forces
Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0500
An independent United Nations human rights expert today denounced what he described as "the unlawful naval seizure" by an Israeli gunboat of a ship carrying medicine and reconstruction material for the people of Gaza.
Racism not just a right-wing phenomenon, UN expert says after visit to Germany
Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0500
Germany needs to change its view of racism from one associated only with right-wing extremists to a broader definition that realizes that racism occurs in everyday life, particularly towards migrants, a United Nations independent human rights expert said today.
UN human rights probe wraps up public hearings in Gaza
Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500
The United Nations fact-finding mission on the recent Gaza conflict, mandated by the Human Rights Council, today completed its first round of public hearings in Gaza City during which it heard testimony from witnesses, victims and experts.
Egypt making progress in water, sanitation - UN rights expert
Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500
Egypt has made great strides in improving access to drinking water and is well-situated to address remaining challenges related to water and sanitation, a United Nations independent human rights expert said today.
UN officials urge States to put an end to torture on International Day for victims
Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon led United Nations officials in calling on governments to go on the offensive in the fight against torture, stressing there can be no justification under any circumstances for such "cruel, degrading and inhuman treatment," in a message marking the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.

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