UN rights chief says humanity at ‘fork in the road’ amid global crises
As global crises intensify, humanity seems to be “at a fork in the road” leading to a “treacherous new normal” or dystopian future, according to the UN human rights chief, opening the 57th session of the Human Rights Council on Monday in Geneva.
Volker Türk said that ‘new normal’ cannot be “endless, vicious military escalation, increasingly horrifying, technologically “advanced” methods of warfare, control, and repression,” or a rise in disinformation.
The High Commissioner said we have the choice to turn things around for the better of the planet.
“We can and must make a different choice. Reconnect with our common humanity, nature, and our planet. In other words, we could choose to be guided by human rights and the universal values that we all share.”
Highlighting the misuse of power to violate human rights, Mr. Türk urged voters in upcoming elections to consider candidates or political platforms that will uphold the human rights of all.
He called on Member States not to condone “blatant disregard” of international rights, urging them to do everything possible to end violations.
Senior official warns of worsening detention conditions for Palestinians in Israeli custody
The Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict (SRSG-SVC) expressed concern on Monday over recent UN reports that detail worsening detention conditions for Palestinian civilians being held in Israeli jails since the 7 October attacks.
These reports of alleged sexual violence describe sexualised torture against Palestinian civilians which include beatings and electrocution of genitals, as well as inappropriate touching of women by both male and female soldiers.
Two months ago, a male Palestinian detainee was hospitalised allegedly with severe injuries to his rectum while being detained on a military base.
Special Representative Pramila Patten, said that “Sexual violence and sexualised torture in any form and in any context, and particularly in detention settings, is unacceptable. Such abhorrent acts not only constitute a grave violation of human rights and human dignity but they also undermine efforts towards peace and stability in the region.”
She called for victims to be provided with medical and psychological support while stressing the importance of maintaining international human rights standards.
Ms. Patten also urges Israeli authorities to grant unrestricted access to detention facilities in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories and called for independent UN investigations into alleged violations to ensure all perpetrators are held accountable.
UN chief calls for global action to protect education
In a statement marking the International Day to Protect Education from Attack on Monday, the UN chief said it was an important reminder of how wars around the world have affected young learners’ bodies, minds and spirits.
Secretary-General António Guterres, said education was essential to the fulfilment of all human rights and called on all countries to protect students and “safeguard the fundamental right to education that belongs to every child and young person, everywhere.”
The Secretary-General’s message comes as the UN Children’s Fund, UNICEF, reveals that 45,000 six-year-olds in the Gaza Strip are unable to start the new school year on Monday.
That’s after 625,000 children in Gaza have missed a whole year of education due to the fighting. All Gaza’s schools have been “shuttered” since the 7 October attacks.
The children’s fund reported that education in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, has been disrupted by school closures. In areas where schools remain open, “fear of violence, movement restrictions, and mental health concerns” are keeping children from attending, resulting in significant learning loss.
Meanwhile, education remains the least funded sector in humanitarian appeals.
The UNICEF Regional Director in the Middle East and North Africa, Adele Khodr, said, “We must find ways to restart learning and rebuild schools to uphold the right to education of the next generations in the State of Palestine.”
Shanaé Harte, UN News.
Source of original article: United Nations (news.un.org). Photo credit: UN. The content of this article does not necessarily reflect the views or opinion of Global Diaspora News (www.globaldiasporanews.com).
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