Category: Pacific

The situation of the arbitrarily detained academic “is truly horrific” and that they are “shocked and distressed by the cruel mistreatment”, the experts said in a news release.  There is only one word to describe the severe physical and psychological ill-treatment of Djalali, and that is torture  – Rights experts Mr. Djalali has been held in prolonged solitary confinement for over… Read More

In a new report, UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), World Health Organization (WHO) and UN Population Fund (UNFPA) said that the impact also included sharp drops in the number of young children treated for severe acute malnutrition as well as in childhood immunizations.   Drastic cuts in health across South Asia due to COVID-19 have been deadly for children. It’s vital… Read More

According to the agency, while the price of the staple, rice, rose by about 3 per cent on average in monitored markets across the country, some townships reported spikes of as high as 20 to 35 per cent, between mid-January to mid-February.  “These initial signs are troubling, especially for the most vulnerable people who were already living meal-to-meal”, Stephen Anderson,… Read More

Over the weekend, violence continued to rage across the south-east Asian nation and, according to media reports, dozens of people lost their lives, including 38 on Sunday alone.   The ongoing brutality, including against medical personnel and destruction of public infrastructure, severely undermines any prospects for peace and stability – Special Envoy Schraner Burgener  In a statement on Sunday, Special Envoy… Read More

In addition, women in detention are also reportedly experiencing sexual harassment and violence, UN-Women said in a statement on Friday.  UN Women Executive Director @phumzileunwomen condemns the violent crackdown in #Myanmar & expresses deep concern over targeted & disproportionate violence against women, calls for respect of the right of women to peaceful assembly & release of all detained https://t.co/Otkhrmnvpe —… Read More

Calling for a united global response, Special Rapporteur, Thomas Andrews said that “the people of Myanmar need not only words of support but supportive action. They need the help of the international community, now”. ‘Wholly insufficient’ According to the independent rights expert, appointed by the Council with a three-year unpaid mandate, Wednesday’s UN Security Council statement expressing ambassadors’ deep concern about developments in Myanmar are welcome… Read More

Addressing a UN regional forum on migration, António Vitorino, Director-General of the UN International Organization for Migration (IOM) underlined the key role migrants played before, during and after the worst of the pandemic’s waves.  “From healthcare to logistics, food supply chains to agriculture, and social services, migrants working alongside nationals have risen to the challenge and made a marked contribution… Read More

In a presidential statement, issued on Wednesday by the representative of the United States, Council President for March, the 15-member body also reiterated its call for the immediate release of all those detained arbitrarily, including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint.  “The Security Council expresses its continued support for the democratic transition in Myanmar, and stresses… Read More

Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Tomas Ojea Quintana, highlighted “deaths by starvation” linked to a “drastic” decline in trade and commerce, as well as an increase in the number of children and elderly people forced to beg. Severe containment measures had also led to “a number of concerning consequences” that… Read More

Known officially as the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, António Guterres expressed his condolences, “to those who continue to grieve the loss of loved ones. In 2 days we mark the 10th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, Over 18,400 people are dead or missing. This #tsunami evacuation tower in Sendai is a sign of how #Japan has… Read More