South Sudan: Violence against civilians ticks up despite fall in attacks overall

South Sudan: Violence against civilians ticks up despite fall in attacks overall

Overall levels of documented violent incidents rose by 27 per cent, from 714 recorded acts of violence in 2021, to 982 last year. 2022 was marked by three distinct surges of violence, the UNMISS report said: between April and May, in southern Unity State; between July and September, in Warrap State; and between August and December, in the…

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Violence against Imran Khan and his supporters is unacceptable, says Eric Swell

Violence against Imran Khan and his supporters is unacceptable, says Eric Swell

File photo Democrat Congressman Eric Swalwell has said that violence against Imran Khan and his supporters is unacceptable. Eric Swalwell has said that the current Pakistani government’s attempt to silence political dissent by arresting the former prime minister and using threats is unacceptable. He said that I urge all parties in Pakistan to avoid further…

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300,000 flee ongoing violence in DR Congo in February alone: UNHCR

300,000 flee ongoing violence in DR Congo in February alone: UNHCR

Renewed violent clashes between non-state armed groups and government forces have sparked the latest emergency, with 300,000 people forced to flee their homes in North Kivu Province in February alone. According to the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, another 20,000 fled at the start of the week and nearly 50,000 became displaced from the Kitchanga region in Masisi territory…

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Envoy ‘deeply disturbed’ by mounting violence between Israelis and Palestinians

Envoy ‘deeply disturbed’ by mounting violence between Israelis and Palestinians

“We are in the midst of a cycle of violence that must be stopped immediately,” Tor Wennesland said in a statement on Wednesday.  Concern for civilians  “I am deeply disturbed by the continuing violence and appalled by the attacks of Israeli settlers against Palestinians two days ago in Huwwara, near Nablus. Israel, as the occupying…

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Peru: UN experts call for end to violence during demonstrations

Peru: UN experts call for end to violence during demonstrations

In an appeal for “genuine dialogue” to resolve the crisis, the experts expressed deep concern about the reported repression, arbitrary killings, arrests, detention and enforced disappearances of demonstrators in Peru. The situation stems from Congress’s removal of then president, Pedro Castillo on 7 December, after he was accused of trying to dissolve it. Mr. Castillo remains in…

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Haiti: Surge in gun trafficking fuels spike in gang violence

Haiti: Surge in gun trafficking fuels spike in gang violence

The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) report, Haiti’s criminal markets: mapping trends in firearms and drug trafficking, warns that a recent increase in arms seizures alongside intelligence and law enforcement reporting, suggests trafficking of weapons is on the rise. ‘Volatile situation’ “By providing a rapid assessment of illicit firearms and drug trafficking, this…

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DR Congo: Senior UN rights official calls on authorities to stop ‘appalling’ violence

DR Congo: Senior UN rights official calls on authorities to stop ‘appalling’ violence

The UN Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, Ilze Brands Kehris, concluding a 10-day visit to the country on Wednesday, reported a resurgence of attacks by armed groups and the devastating toll on communities alongside the need for action. “The violence must stop,” she said, encouraging authorities to redouble their efforts to counter rising hatred and…

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Amid ‘ominous’ surge in Israeli-Palestinian violence, top UN officials call on parties to swiftly reduce tensions

Amid ‘ominous’ surge in Israeli-Palestinian violence, top UN officials call on parties to swiftly reduce tensions

“We are witnessing a surge in violence, including some of the deadliest incidents in nearly 20 years,” said Tor Wennesland, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO). “We have seen ominous signs of what awaits if we fail to address the current instability.” Raising concerns that developments on the ground are continuing along…

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