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Ukraine: UNICEF chief urges greater protection for children ‘caught in this nightmare’

Catherine Russell, head of UN child rights agency, UNICEF, appealed for greater protection efforts by both the international community and the parties to the conflict, and a political solution to end the war. “Children are depending on this Council to provide solutions. We cannot and we must not let them down,” she said. Young lives … Read moreUkraine: UNICEF chief urges greater protection for children ‘caught in this nightmare’

Rights chief calls on Georgian authorities to protect basic freedoms

The legitimate protests were dispersed using disproportionate and, in some cases, unnecessary force by the police in the capital, Tbilisi, according to the statement from High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk. Dozens of protesters and media workers were reportedly injured during the demonstrations sparked by a prime ministerial announcement postponing negotiations on joining the … Read moreRights chief calls on Georgian authorities to protect basic freedoms

UN chief condemns Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy system

The large-scale strikes occurred overnight and reportedly caused severe damage, power outages and civilian casualties. “Attacks on energy infrastructure will only increase the suffering of civilians with the looming winter weather,” UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said in a note to journalists. “Directing attacks against civilians and civilian objects is prohibited by international humanitarian law.  Any … Read moreUN chief condemns Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy system

UN rights chief warns of ‘widespread and systematic’ torture of Ukrainian POWs

In a briefing to the UN Human Rights Council on Tuesday, UN rights chief Volker Türk highlighted the widespread devastation and violations of international law that have defined the conflict. He noted that July 2024 was the deadliest month for civilians since October 2022, with a sharp rise in casualties due to large-scale Russian attacks … Read moreUN rights chief warns of ‘widespread and systematic’ torture of Ukrainian POWs

SECURITY COUNCIL LIVE: Ukraine President set to brief, as UN chief calls for ‘just peace’

The UN Security Council is due to be briefed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zellenskyy in New York on Tuesday as he seeks support for a new “victory plan” from world leaders. Earlier, the UN Secretary-General told the General Assembly there was no let up in Russia’s full-scale invasion and it’s time now for a just … Read moreSECURITY COUNCIL LIVE: Ukraine President set to brief, as UN chief calls for ‘just peace’

Fight bigotry whenever and wherever it appears, UN chief declares

On the night of 2 August 1944, the last 4,300 Roma and Sinti in the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp were murdered by the Nazi forces, despite their fierce resistance. That marked the killing of more than 500,000 members of the community, representing at least a quarter of their total population at the time. The Nazis’s genocidal … Read moreFight bigotry whenever and wherever it appears, UN chief declares

UN rights chief calls for end to war on Ukraine following latest airstrikes

Mr. Türk said these “relentless” attacks were deepening the humanitarian crisis in the country, tearing apart infrastructure, and creating a host of socioeconomic challenges.   Between March and May, 436 civilians were killed and 1,760 injured, High Commissioner Türk said. “These high civilian casualties are largely the result of the ground offensive and aerial attacks, … Read moreUN rights chief calls for end to war on Ukraine following latest airstrikes

UN chief to leaders of regional bloc: end wars, deal with existential crises

“The central goal of our multilateral system must be peace – a pre-condition for sustainable development and the enjoyment of human rights,” he told Heads of States attending the world’s largest regional organisation meeting in Kazakhstan’s capital. António Guterres listed multiple conflicts where ceasefire and lasting peace are needed, from the Middle East to Ukraine and from … Read moreUN chief to leaders of regional bloc: end wars, deal with existential crises

UN rights chief, independent experts denounce Georgia’s new ‘foreign agents’ law

The Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence requires media, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other nonprofits to register as “pursuing the interests of a foreign power” if they receive more than 20 per cent of their funding from abroad. It was adopted on Tuesday. The adoption has sparked protests in the capital, Tbilisi, and has been … Read moreUN rights chief, independent experts denounce Georgia’s new ‘foreign agents’ law

Rights chief urges Russia to end crackdown as journalist detentions reach all-time high

Volker Türk said he was concerned by the increasing number of journalists charged, convicted and jailed for their independent reporting, in what appears to be an intensification of a crackdown on dissenting voices. He described the continuous attacks on free speech and the criminalization of independent journalism in Russia as “very troubling”. “The intensification of the crackdown on journalists’ independent … Read moreRights chief urges Russia to end crackdown as journalist detentions reach all-time high