Sudan catastrophe must not be allowed to continue: UN rights chief Türk

World News in Brief: ‘Barbaric’ sexual violence in Sudan, Haiti’s transitional council in place, rights experts condemn Iran rapper’s death sentence

PNP DeskApril 25, 2024September 20, 202407 mins

Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict Pramila Patten together with Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator Joyce Msuya, said that more than a year into the battle for control of the country between rival militaries, the “barbaric acts” being committed “echo the horrors witnessed in Darfur two decades ago”. They urged Security Council members who met…

General Assembly approves $3.59 billion UN budget for 2024

UN says 758 allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse reported in 2023

PNP DeskMarch 26, 2024September 19, 202404 mins

The findings published on Tuesday state that although progress has been made since 2017 through the establishment of new frameworks, policies and procedures, sexual exploitation and abuse continues to occur across the UN system. Rising crises, rising risks Risks increased significantly last year, with the unprecedented rise in humanitarian crises along with significant reductions in…

UPDATING LIVE: Civilians in Israel and Palestine ‘cannot be abandoned’, says top UN official on sexual violence in conflict

PNP DeskMarch 11, 2024September 19, 2024017 mins

4:02 PM Mozambique: Intervention urgently needed Domingos Estêvão Fernandes, Deputy Permanent Representative of Mozambique to the UN, said that the relentless violence between Israeli settlers and Palestinians in the Occupied West Bank, coupled with the bombardment in the Gaza Strip demanded the “immediate intervention” of the Security Council. “All parties must fully respect international humanitarian…

‘Widespread’ sexual abuse of children in entertainment business revealed

PNP DeskMarch 5, 2024September 18, 202408 mins

“The sexual abuse and the exploitation of children within the entertainment industry resulting from unethical systems, structures, practices or abuse of power and authority is widespread,” said Mama Fatima Singhateh, the UN Special Rapporteur on sale and sexual exploitation of children. Child performers in the entertainment industry are exposed to sexualized, violent and aggressive environments that…

‘Clear and convincing information’ that hostages held in Gaza subjected to sexual violence says UN Special Representative

PNP DeskMarch 4, 2024September 18, 202406 mins

Pramila Patten added in a press release issued along with the report, that there are also reasonable grounds to believe that such violence, which includes other “cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment”, may be continuing against those still being held by Hamas and other extremists in the Gaza Strip. The report from her Office, arose from…

UN representative on sexual violence in conflict to visit Israel and West Bank

PNP DeskJanuary 25, 2024September 18, 202403 mins

Pramila Patten, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, will also visit the occupied West Bank, where she will meet with the Palestinian Authority, civil society organizations, recently released detainees and other relevant actors. The visit is set to start on Monday and will conclude in early February. Giving voice to…

Rights experts urge France to protect children from sexual abuse

PNP DeskJanuary 19, 2024September 18, 202405 mins

The experts had previously written to the authorities after receiving information about three cases regarding allegations of sexual abuse of several children by their fathers and violations against the mothers who sought to protect them. They found that, according to the allegations, the children were victims of sexual abuse or at high risk of sexual…

World News in Brief, Bangladesh democracy call, accountability for Israeli victims of sexual violence, plastic pollution in the Antarctic, powering Ukraine

PNP DeskJanuary 8, 2024September 18, 2024010 mins

High Commissioner Volker Türk voiced his concern that Sunday’s poll which saw Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina secure a fifth term in office, was “marred by violence and repression of opposition candidates and supporters”, according to a press release from rights office OHCHR. “In the months leading up to the vote, thousands of opposition supporters have…

Gaza: UN expert on sexual violence in conflict reiterates grave concern for hostages

PNP DeskDecember 21, 2023September 18, 202407 mins

Pramila Patten, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, called for the immediate, safe, and unconditional release of all those who remain in captivity. Ms. Patten met this week with the mother of one of the young women taken hostage who expressed the pain, despair and helplessness that families are facing as they…

UN’s Türk urges probe into alleged sexual violence during Hamas terror attacks

PNP DeskDecember 6, 2023September 17, 202409 mins

The High Commissioner also rejected allegations of double standards regarding the UN’s position on the crisis in Gaza, noting that he had been made aware of allegations of sexual violence during the Hamas attack on communities in southern Israel. It was “painfully clear” that the “atrocious” attacks should be fully investigated independently “because that is…