Gaza has become a ‘death zone’, warns UN health chief

Gaza has become a ‘death zone’, warns UN health chief

“Gaza has become a death zone,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General told correspondents at a press briefing in Geneva. “Much of the territory has been destroyed. More than 29,000 people are dead; many more are missing, presumed dead; and many, many more are injured,” he added. Across the war-ravaged Gaza Strip, severe malnutrition has shot…

Read More
UK bill to send asylum seekers to Rwanda ‘undercuts human rights’: UN rights chief

UK bill to send asylum seekers to Rwanda ‘undercuts human rights’: UN rights chief

“You cannot legislate facts out of existence,” said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, calling on the UK Government to reconsider the bill in light of recent reports raising a range of concerns. “It is deeply concerning to carve out one group of people, or people in one particular situation, from the equal protection…

Read More
‘Force alone is not the answer’ says UN counter-terrorism chief

‘Force alone is not the answer’ says UN counter-terrorism chief

“Force alone is not the answer,” Vladimir Voronkov, Under-Secretary-General for the Office of Counter-Terrorism, told ambassadors in the Security Council. “Comprehensive responses, firmly grounded in political strategies, anchored in international law, and based on all-of-government and all-of-society approaches, are indispensable.” Progress against Da’esh Referring to the Secretary-General’s report on the ongoing threat posed by Da’esh…

Read More
On Peacebuilding Day, ambassadors discuss response to organized crime in the Sahel

Rising hunger: UN chief identifies wars, climate chaos as aggravating factors

“Climate chaos and food crises are serious and mounting threats to global peace and security. It is only right that they are addressed by this Council,” he said. Representatives from nearly 90 countries are participating in the debate, convened by Guyana, which holds the rotating Council presidency this month.   Hunger in Gaza  Climate disasters and…

Read More
Gaza: UN rights chief warns against potential ‘carnage’ in Rafah

Gaza: UN rights chief warns against potential ‘carnage’ in Rafah

Nearly 1.5 million people are now crammed into the southern city on the border with Egypt, and with nowhere further to flee. ‘Terrifying’ situation  A potential full-fledged incursion in Rafah “is terrifying, given the prospect that an extremely high number of civilians, again mostly children and women, will likely be killed and injured,” Mr. Türk…

Read More
Gazans ‘have no homes – and they have no hope’: UN chief

Gazans ‘have no homes – and they have no hope’: UN chief

  Speaking at a press conference at UN Headquarters in New York, the UN chief underscored the need for “real, visible, concrete steps” towards a two-State solution based on UN resolutions, international law and previous agreements. “Repeated bloody hostilities and decades of tensions and occupation have failed to provide a State for the Palestinians or…

Read More
Gazans ‘stalked by hunger, disease and death’ warns UN’s top aid official

Gaza ‘buffer zone’ possible war crime: UN human rights chief

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) are reportedly destroying all buildings in the Gaza Strip that are within one kilometre of the Israel-Gaza fence and “clearing the area” to achieve this objective, he said in a statement. Mr. Türk stressed to the Israeli authorities that the Fourth Geneva Convention prohibits the occupying Power from destroying property…

Read More
UN deputy chief calls for ‘courage, vision and solidarity’ to boost middle-income nations

UN deputy chief calls for ‘courage, vision and solidarity’ to boost middle-income nations

Speaking at a conference on addressing development challenges of middle-income countries (MICs), in Rabat, Morocco, Amina Mohammed said recent crises have laid bare inequalities and exposed stark contrasts. “While developed countries have been able to protect and swiftly support their populations, other countries have been left dependent on the international community and the existing global…

Read More