Russia: Rights experts condemn continued imprisonment of Evan Gershkovich
The 32-year-old Wall Street Journal reporter was arrested last March in Yekatarinburg on espionage charges and is being held at the infamous Lefortovo prison in Moscow. Mariana Katzarova, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian…
Gaza war: ‘Direct hits’ on more than 200 schools since Israeli bombing began
Satellite imagery pointed to at least 53 schools “totally destroyed” since conflict erupted on 7 October 2023 and a near nine per cent increase in attacks on school premises since mid-February, according to a report by the UN Children’s Fund,…
First Person: ‘We had to avoid stepping on the bodies in the streets’ in Darfur
Sudan, and Darfur in particular, are facing a humanitarian and security crisis after a war broke out in April 2023 between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), although ethnic conflicts in Darfur date back more than two…
DR Congo mission chief says humanitarian disaster ‘unfolding before our very eyes’
Ms. Keita, who also heads the UN peacekeeping mission in the country, MONUSCO, sounded the alarm over the humanitarian disaster “unfolding before our very eyes”. More than seven million people in the country are displaced, particularly due to the operations…
ISIL growing stronger in Syria, as war enters its thirteenth year
This was a reminder of the ongoing impact of a conflict which has now dragged on for more than 12 years and rarely makes headlines, even though it continues to have a devastating effect on the civilian population. In early…
Rights expert finds ‘reasonable grounds’ genocide is being committed in Gaza
Francesca Albanese was speaking at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, where she presented her latest report, entitled ‘Anatomy of a Genocide’, during an interactive dialogue with Member States. “Following nearly six months of unrelenting Israeli assault on occupied…
UN envoy backs demand for immediate Gaza ceasefire amid ‘cataclysmic suffering’
The call by Special Coordinator Tor Wennesland followed Monday’s adoption by the Security Council of a resolution “demanding” an immediate ceasefire in the enclave for the remainder of Ramadan, and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. However, intense…
Gaza: ‘Double-digit’ number of children reported killed overnight
The continuing violence came despite an immediate ceasefire call for the remainder of Ramadan from the Security Council on Monday, prompting urgent appeals from UN aid agencies for the resolution to be respected immediately, to prevent more people dying. Speaking…
UN report: Credible allegations Ukrainian POWs have been tortured by Russian forces
According to the Monitoring Mission, interviews conducted with 60 recently released Ukrainian POWs painted a harrowing picture of their experiences in Russian captivity. “Almost every single one of the Ukrainian POWs we interviewed described how Russian servicepersons or officials tortured…
During the holy month of Ramadan, the UN Security Council unanimously approved a resolution calling for an urgent stop to the conflict in Gaza.
HIGHLIGHTS During Ramadan, the UN Security Council passed a resolution put forth by its 10 non-permanent members (E-10) calling for a cessation of hostilities in Gaza. The resolution was approved by a vote of 14 in favor, 0 against, and…