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Global News Roundup: Aid Delivered on Ukraine Frontline, School Closures in Africa, Human Rights Defenders in Georgia

Posted on by mahmoud gaber
06
Sep

Ukraine: Aid Trucks Reach Kherson Despite Heavy Bombardment

Humanitarian agencies continue to provide aid to communities trapped on Ukraine’s frontlines. On Wednesday, an inter-agency convoy delivered three trucks of relief supplies to Beryslav, a town in the Kherson region, marking the ninth successful delivery of aid this year. Despite ongoing shelling, nearly 2,000 residents, including 70 children and 90 individuals with limited mobility, remain in the town, which is without electricity, gas, or water due to damaged infrastructure, according to UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.

The convoy brought essential items such as a portable power station, hygiene products, blankets, bedding, and warm clothing to support residents facing harsh conditions. In addition, increasing missile strikes by Russian forces have caused nearly 30 civilian casualties in the Donetsk and Sumy regions. The Ukrainian government has launched mandatory evacuations for children and caregivers in 40 towns across the Donetsk region.

West and Central Africa: School Closures Due to Escalating Violence

More than 14,300 schools across West and Central Africa have been forced to close due to rising insecurity, leaving 2.8 million children without access to education, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). From Mali to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, violent incidents affecting education increased by 103% from March to June this year. The lack of funding continues to hamper humanitarian efforts, with only a quarter of children in affected areas having access to education during the most recent period under review, compared to half at the start of the year.

Georgia: UN Expert Calls for End to Repression of Human Rights Defenders

In Georgia, human rights defenders have faced an intensified “wave of repression” throughout 2024, according to UN Special Rapporteur Mary Lawlor. The situation has worsened following the adoption of the Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence in May, which violates Georgia’s obligations to uphold freedom of association and expression.

Lawlor highlighted that human rights defenders have been subjected to physical attacks, harassment, and threats, often with no consequences for the perpetrators. Government officials have publicly smeared these defenders, further inflaming hostilities and legitimizing attacks. Lawlor called for an immediate end to the targeted repression and urged the Georgian government to protect the rights of those standing up for human dignity.

These issues underscore the ongoing challenges faced by vulnerable populations worldwide and the critical need for international support and advocacy.

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Topics

Impact of Poland’s Restrictive Abortion Laws on Women Unveiled by Rights Experts

Posted on by mahmoud gaber
04
Sep

Warsaw, Poland – August 26, 2024

The restrictive abortion laws in Poland are leading to significant violations of women’s rights, according to a report released on Monday by independent human rights experts. The stringent regulations have resulted in “several preventable deaths” and have forced women to either carry unwanted pregnancies to term, seek unsafe procedures, or travel abroad for legal abortions, as noted by the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR).

The findings, published by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), reveal that the majority of abortions in Poland are conducted illegally and under unsafe conditions. The current legal framework severely limits access to abortion, with very few exceptions, making it nearly impossible for women to obtain the necessary services.

Genoveva Tisheva, the Committee’s Vice-Chair, stated that the situation in Poland amounts to gender-based violence against women and could be considered as torture or cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment.

Systemic Failures and Stigmatization

The report highlighted systemic issues within Poland’s legal and healthcare systems, including doctors’ reluctance to perform abortions due to fear of criminal liability or moral and religious objections. This reluctance further complicates access to safe abortion services, particularly in cases where pregnancies result from criminal acts. The bureaucratic process is complex and not supportive of victims, exacerbated by the influence of strong anti-abortion groups and the stigmatization of those who assist in abortion procedures.

Ms. Tisheva described the environment in Poland as “complex, hostile, and chilling,” where access to safe abortion is stigmatized and practically impossible for many women.

The CEDAW committee concluded that Poland’s restrictive abortion laws not only jeopardize women’s health and lives but also cause significant mental and physical suffering, which is a gender-based violation of human rights. The report urged Poland to recognize abortion as a fundamental human right and to adopt a human rights-based approach to sexual and reproductive health. Key recommendations included legal reforms aimed at decriminalizing and legalizing abortion to ensure that women can safely access the services they need.

Recommendations for Reform

In summary, the report by CEDAW underscores the urgent need for Poland to reconsider its abortion laws to protect the rights, health, and well-being of women across the country.

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events, News, Refugees and maigrents, Reports

International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances: A Call for Justice and Accountability

Posted on by admin
30
Aug

Every year on August 30th, the world observes the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, a day dedicated to remembering those who have been secretly abducted or imprisoned, often by state agents, and whose fates remain unknown. This day, established by the United Nations, serves as a powerful reminder of the thousands of individuals who have vanished without a trace, leaving their families in a state of perpetual anguish.

Enforced Disappearances: A Grave Human Rights Violation

Enforced disappearances are not just acts of kidnapping; they represent a severe violation of multiple human rights, including the right to security, freedom from torture, and even the right to life. These disappearances are often used as tools of political repression, silencing dissent and instilling fear within communities. Governments or their agents, who perpetrate these acts, typically deny the detention of the victims or refuse to disclose their whereabouts, effectively placing them outside the protection of the law.

The Human Cost

For the families of the disappeared, the pain is immeasurable. They are left in a state of limbo, unable to mourn, uncertain whether their loved ones are alive or dead. This uncertainty can lead to prolonged psychological suffering, exacerbated by the lack of closure or justice. Moreover, enforced disappearances often leave families economically destitute, particularly when the disappeared person was the primary breadwinner.

A Global Issue

While enforced disappearances are often associated with dictatorial regimes, they are a global issue affecting numerous countries, including those in conflict zones or under authoritarian rule. The international community has recognized the severity of this crime, leading to the adoption of instruments such as the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, which aims to prevent such violations and ensure justice for victims.

Brussels for Human Rights: Standing in Solidarity

At Brussels for Human Rights, we stand with the victims of enforced disappearances and their families, offering our unwavering support and solidarity. We call on governments around the world to fully implement international conventions, ensure accountability, and provide reparations to the victims and their families. On this International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, we urge the global community to unite in the fight against this heinous practice and to work tirelessly towards a world where no one has to live in fear of being disappeared.

Join Us in the Fight for Justice

We invite you to join us in raising awareness about enforced disappearances and advocating for stronger protections against this crime. Together, we can ensure that the voices of the disappeared are heard and that their families receive the justice they deserve.

Topics

Humanitarian Aid Efforts Underway in Flood-Stricken Myanmar

Posted on by mahmoud gaber
flood
28
Aug

On August 26, 2024, humanitarian teams in Myanmar began distributing emergency aid to families impacted by severe monsoon flooding in the Ayeyarwady Delta, a crucial rice-producing region where nearly half a million people may be affected.

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) reported that significant areas of farmland have been submerged, creating an urgent need for basic necessities such as food, clean water, and sanitation in the hardest-hit areas.

This disaster exacerbates an already dire situation across Myanmar, which has been suffering from escalating conflict, displacement, and severe threats to civilian safety following a military coup over three years ago.

WFP’s initial relief efforts target approximately 35,000 individuals currently taking refuge in evacuation centers within the Ayeyarwady Delta. The provided food packages include rice, fortified biscuits, and nutritional support aimed at preventing acute malnutrition, particularly among mothers and children.

Sheela Matthew, WFP’s Representative in Myanmar, expressed concern that the flooding may drastically reduce the region’s monsoon rice production, potentially endangering the food security of small-scale farmers.

Widespread Challenges

Matthew highlighted that the consequences of the flooding are expected to resonate not just within the Ayeyarwady Delta but across broader regions of Myanmar. As a result, WFP is working to mitigate potential food shortages.

According to the Myanmar Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for 2024, even before the floods, 1.5 million people in the Ayeyarwady region were already in need of humanitarian aid – roughly one-quarter of the population. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) had previously reported that 18.6 million people nationwide were in need of assistance. The crisis has had a particularly devastating impact on children, with six million in need due to displacement, disrupted healthcare and education, food insecurity, malnutrition, and protection risks such as forced recruitment and psychological distress.

WFP’s Return to the Delta

This marks the WFP’s first aid mission to the Ayeyarwady Delta in nine years; the last intervention was in 2015 after widespread flooding. The organization has also extended support to 130,000 people in other flood-affected areas of Myanmar, including Bago, Kachin, Kayin, Magway, Mandalay, and Sagaing. The WFP is also assessing needs in Rakhine and is prepared to respond as necessary.

Although many areas affected by the floods have also been impacted by ongoing conflict, the Ayeyarwady Delta and parts of Bago remain relatively conflict-free, allowing for focused relief efforts.

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Humanitarian Aid, Topics

#ActForHumanity: UN Calls for Action to End Violence Against Aid Workers on World Humanitarian Day

Posted on by mahmoud gaber
20
Aug

As the world marks World Humanitarian Day on August 19, the United Nations and its partners are sounding the alarm over the increasing violence against aid workers. The past year has been the deadliest on record, with 280 aid workers killed across 33 countries—a staggering 137% increase from 2022, when 118 were killed, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the rising violence and the culture of impunity that allows perpetrators to evade justice. He urged governments to exert pressure on all parties involved in conflicts to protect civilians and humanitarian workers alike. “We must all do more to protect and safeguard our common humanity,” Guterres emphasized.

The death toll for aid workers in 2024 is on track to surpass last year’s grim figures. As of August 7, 172 humanitarian workers had already lost their lives, with many deaths occurring during the first three months of hostilities in Gaza. Airstrikes in Gaza alone have claimed the lives of more than 280 aid workers since October 2023, most of whom were staff members of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). Additionally, violence in Sudan and South Sudan has significantly contributed to the rising death toll.

Joyce Msuya, UN Acting Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, called the normalization of violence against aid workers “unacceptable and unconscionable.” She stressed the need for greater accountability, stating, “We reiterate our demand that people in power act to end violations against civilians and the impunity with which these heinous attacks are committed.”

This year’s World Humanitarian Day campaign, #ActForHumanity, aims to rally public support to pressure warring parties and world leaders to better protect civilians and aid workers caught in conflict zones. The observance also commemorates the 2003 bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad, which killed 22 humanitarian workers, including Sergio Vieira de Mello, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Iraq.

Humanitarian organizations have collectively urged UN Member States to enforce greater protections for aid workers, their premises, and their assets, as outlined in UN Security Council resolution 2730, adopted in May 2024. They stressed that those who violate international humanitarian law must be held accountable, ensuring that justice is served for these atrocities.

The letter from humanitarian organizations affirmed their commitment to continue providing aid in crisis zones but highlighted the urgent need for a united stand to safeguard their staff, volunteers, and the civilians they serve.

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Economic Development, Topics

Youth Unemployment Hits 15-Year Low, But Challenges Persist for Young Workers, Says UN Labour Agency

Posted on by admin
16
Aug

The global youth unemployment rate has reached a 15-year low, according to the latest report by the UN International Labour Organization (ILO). However, young workers, especially in low-income countries and certain regions like Asia, the Pacific, and Arab States, are struggling to benefit from the post-COVID economic recovery.

Despite a global decline in youth unemployment to 13% in 2023—lower than pre-pandemic levels—the recovery remains uneven, with rising joblessness in East Asia, the Arab States, and Southeast Asia and the Pacific. The ILO’s report highlights significant disparities in job security, with only one in four young workers in low-income countries securing stable employment, compared to three in four in wealthier nations.

The report also sheds light on the challenges faced by young women, who are twice as likely as men to be “NEET” (Not in Employment, Education, or Training). Gender bias remains a significant issue, with the global NEET rate for young women more than double that of young men in 2023.

The ILO emphasizes that creating decent work opportunities is crucial for social justice and the global economy, especially in the face of demographic trends like Africa’s “youthquake.” The report calls for urgent action to address inequalities in the labour market and ensure that young people have the opportunity to build secure futures.

Key findings from the ILO’s Global Employment Trends for Youth 2024 report include a shortage of high-skill jobs, particularly in middle-income countries, and the need for skills development to keep pace with evolving demands in green and digital industries. The ILO underscores that without equal access to education and decent work, millions of young people will miss out on a better future.


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Economic Development, Humanitarian Aid, Refugees and maigrents, Topics

Global Hunger Setback by 15 Years: UN Report Warns of Growing Crisis

Posted on by mahmoud gaber
02
Aug

Published on July 24, 2024

The fight against global hunger has been significantly set back, with around 733 million people experiencing hunger in 2023—equivalent to one in eleven people globally and one in five in Africa, according to the latest UN State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) report. This alarming trend suggests that progress toward the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of Zero Hunger by 2030 is severely off track.

Key Findings:

  • Hunger Statistics: Between 713 million and 757 million people were undernourished in 2023, an increase of about 152 million since 2019.
  • Regional Disparities: Africa is the hardest hit, with 20.4% of its population facing hunger, while Asia remains stable at 8.1%. Latin America has seen slight improvements but still faces significant challenges.
  • Drivers of Hunger: Conflict, climate extremes, and economic downturns are the primary drivers of hunger, particularly in Africa.
  • Food Insecurity: In 2023, approximately 2.33 billion people globally were moderately or severely food insecure, nearly matching the numbers seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Economic Barriers: A staggering 2.8 billion people could not afford a healthy diet in 2022, with stark contrasts between high-income and low-income countries.

Progress and Challenges:

Despite some advances, such as increased exclusive breastfeeding rates and a slight reduction in stunting among children under five, global hunger levels have remained static for three consecutive years. Moreover, adult obesity continues to rise, projected to affect over 1.2 billion adults by 2030.

COVID-19 Impact:

The pandemic has exacerbated food insecurity, particularly in low-income countries. By 2022, the number of people unable to afford a healthy diet reached its highest level since 2017 in these regions, highlighting the widening inequality caused by COVID-19.

Call to Action:

The report emphasizes the need for increased, cost-effective financing and a standardized approach to food security and nutrition. Transforming agrifood systems, addressing inequalities, and making healthy diets affordable and accessible are critical to achieving SDG 2: Zero Hunger. UN agency heads stress that substantial investment is necessary to close the financing gap and enhance global food security efforts.

FAO Chief Economist Maximo Torero highlights the urgency: “We need to understand that our agri-food systems are under increasing risk and uncertainty due to climate change…donors must adopt greater risk tolerance to activate effective finance.”

For more detailed insights, visit the original report on the United Nations website

Environment, News, Reports, Topics

Air New Zealand scraps 2030 carbon emissions target

Posted on by mahmoud gaber
30
Jul

Flag carrier cites lack of newer fuel-efficient aircraft and alternative jet fuels as reasons for not meeting the target.

Published On: 30 July 2024

Source: Al Jazeera and news agencies

Air New Zealand has abandoned its 2030 carbon emissions targets, citing the unavailability of newer fuel-efficient aircraft and alternative jet fuels.

Air New Zealand Chief Executive Greg Foran announced on Tuesday that potential delays in the airline’s fleet renewal plan posed “an additional risk to the target’s achievability.”

“The airline may need to retain its existing fleet longer than planned due to global manufacturing and supply chain issues that could potentially slow the introduction of newer, more fuel-efficient aircraft into the fleet,” Foran said in a statement. “Given so many levers needed to meet the target are outside our control, the decision has been made to retract the 2030 target and withdraw from the SBTi network immediately.”

The airline will also withdraw from the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), which assists companies in reducing emissions in line with the Paris Agreement.

New Zealand’s flagship airline is considering a new near-term carbon emissions reduction target that would better reflect the industry’s challenges related to aircraft and alternative jet fuel availability.

Air New Zealand Chair Therese Walsh reaffirmed the airline’s commitment to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

“Our work to transition away from fossil fuels continues, as does our advocacy for the global and domestic regulatory and policy settings that will help facilitate Air New Zealand, and the wider aviation system in New Zealand, to do its part to mitigate climate change risks,” Walsh said.

Air New Zealand initially aimed to reduce overall carbon emissions by 16.3 percent by 2030, compared to a 2019 baseline.

The announcement comes as airlines face longer routes due to the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, increasing their demand for emissions-generating fuel.

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