Guterres condemns Israel’s recent advancement of plans to build in occupied West Bank — Global Issues

Guterres condemns Israel’s recent advancement of plans to build in occupied West Bank — Global Issues

A strongly worded statement by the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General reiterates that settlements are a flagrant violation of international law and relevant UN resolutions. Antonio Guterres, it says, urged the Government of Israel to halt and reverse the expansion of settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, to immediately and completely…

‘Dire year’ for children caught in conflict, as hospital and school attacks double — Global Issues

‘Dire year’ for children caught in conflict, as hospital and school attacks double — Global Issues

Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict Virginia Gamba unveiled the Secretary-General’s latest annual report, for 2022, which showed there were 27,180 grave violations overall, an increase from the previous year. The recorded violations only refer to verified information, with the likely toll much higher, and cover four categories: recruitment…

Top UN official urges Israeli, Palestinian leaders to ‘put on the brakes’ — Global Issues

Top UN official urges Israeli, Palestinian leaders to ‘put on the brakes’ — Global Issues

“The choice is clear,” said Tor Wennesland, the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO). “Either continue along the downward spiral of violence and provocations leading to a political vacuum or turn towards constructive dialogue linked to concrete actions that can create hope and a political horizon.”…

Displacement soars amid shrinking humanitarian access — Global Issues

Displacement soars amid shrinking humanitarian access — Global Issues

“We’ve already seen over 560,000 people crossing into neighbouring countries…[and] nearly two million people displaced internally,” said Raouf Mazou, UNHCR’s Assistant High Commissioner for Operations, following a visit to Sudan. Since conflict erupted there on 15 April when rival militaries clashed, more than half a million people have reached neighbouring…

‘Long COVID’ may obstruct return to normal life for 36 million Europeans — Global Issues

‘Long COVID’ may obstruct return to normal life for 36 million Europeans — Global Issues

This summer will be “the first in more than three years that many of us will enjoy without the looming threat of COVID-19”, but the life-threatening virus has not gone away completely, said WHO’s regional director for Europe, Hans Kluge, told reporters at a virtual press conference from Copenhagen. Each…

UN refugee agency predicts spike in resettlement needs next year — Global Issues

UN refugee agency predicts spike in resettlement needs next year — Global Issues

According to the Projected Global Resettlement Needs Assessment for 2024, over 2.4 million refugees will be in need of resettlement, marking a 20 per cent increase compared to 2023. © UNHCR/Lilly Carlisle A woman leaves a refugee camp in Rwanda on her way to resettlement in Norway. Escalating challenges With…

Preventing ‘contagion of atrocities’ hinges on responsibility to protect — Global Issues

Preventing ‘contagion of atrocities’ hinges on responsibility to protect — Global Issues

“The lives of millions depend on that responsibility being given meaning,” Special Adviser on responsibility to protect (R2P) issues George Okoth-Obbo said, introducing the Secretary-General’s latest report and speaking on his behalf. “This annual debate is a reminder to us not to drift from our commitment, our duty, our responsibility…

Torture as a weapon of war must cease, rights experts demand — Global Issues

Torture as a weapon of war must cease, rights experts demand — Global Issues

Today, more than 100 armed conflicts are raging worldwide, devastating communities, winding back development, and leading to grave violations of human rights. Ranging from severe beatings to sexual humiliation and rape, torture iswidely used as a means of war. And often, torture involves the use of tools or instruments, mock…