Security Council meets over Israel-Gaza: ‘Very real risk’ of conflict expanding warns top envoy

Security Council meets over Israel-Gaza: ‘Very real risk’ of conflict expanding warns top envoy

Mr. Wennesland told an emergency briefing of the Security Council that he “watched in horror and in real time” as reports of mass casualties emerged from Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City on Tuesday. “The circumstances of this catastrophe and responsibility remains and still needs to be clarified.  And we will need a fact-based, full investigation…

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Israel-Gaza crisis: Competing Security Council resolutions reveal diplomatic fault lines

Israel-Gaza crisis: Competing Security Council resolutions reveal diplomatic fault lines

The 15-member body that oversees peace and security issues, is expected to decide on a second draft resolution later on Tuesday, led by Brazil. While it does not officially represent the position of the Council until adopted, this proposal aims to mitigate ongoing humanitarian suffering on the ground, establish corridors for safe aid delivery, as…

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Libya: Mission chief updates Security Council on flood disaster ‘beyond imagination’

Libya: Mission chief updates Security Council on flood disaster ‘beyond imagination’

Briefing the Security Council, Abdoulaye Bathily noted the thousands of lives lost by the dam bursts which destroyed whole neighbourhoods after Storm Daniel slammed the region on 10 September.  The Special Representative told ambassadors that despite the sense of national unity and compassion shown by ordinary Libyans, the disaster had revealed “severe governance deficits” across…

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Security Council rejects Russian resolution on Gaza

Security Council rejects Russian resolution on Gaza

The Russian-led draft resolution received five votes in favour (China, Gabon, Mozambique, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates) and four against (France, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States), with six abstentions (Albania, Brazil, Ecuador, Ghana, Malta, and Switzerland). For the Council to adopt a resolution, the proposal must receive at least nine votes…

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UN General Assembly elects 15 new members to Human Rights Council

UN General Assembly elects 15 new members to Human Rights Council

After the ballots were cast and counted, Assembly President Dennis Francis announced Albania, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burundi, China, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominican Republic, France, Ghana, Indonesia, Japan, Kuwait, Malawi, and the Netherlands were elected to serve for three years, beginning 1 January 2024. China, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, France, and Malawi were re-elected for their second terms. …

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Middle East crisis: UN engages parties as Security Council meets

Middle East crisis: UN engages parties as Security Council meets

As the 15-member Council prepared to meet, UN agencies were reporting that hundreds of people have been killed and thousands injured following the early Saturday morning rocket fire into Israel by Palestinian militants. The ensuing Israeli response to the Hamas attacks included airstrikes in Gaza, where the UN agency operating there, UNRWA, had reported massive…

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Security Council authorizes ‘historic’ support mission in Haiti

Security Council authorizes ‘historic’ support mission in Haiti

The mission was requested by the Haitian Government and civil society representatives, following months of chaos and steadily worsening conditions affecting civilians. There have been more than 3,000 homicides reported this year, and over 1,500 instances of kidnapping for ransom. Around 200,000 have been forced to flee their homes while sexual violence and abuse against…

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‘You can’t even face your own parents’, cyberbullying victim tells Human Rights Council

‘You can’t even face your own parents’, cyberbullying victim tells Human Rights Council

According to findings from the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), 130 million students worldwide experience bullying, which has been exacerbated by the spread of digital technologies. UNICEF estimates that one in every three students from 13 to 15 is a victim.  Suicide risk The Council heard heartfelt testimony from 15-year-old Santa Rose Mary, a children’s advocate…

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European Council President says it’s time to put multilateralism back solid ground

European Council President says it’s time to put multilateralism back solid ground

“Today, the United Nations system is sclerotic and hobbled by hostile forces. We must assume our responsibility. That means being engaged to put multilateral cooperation back on solid ground. For that, we need to: Restore trust. Resolve the most pressing problems. Repair the United Nations system.  Protecting the Charter  Trust and confidence between Member States…

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