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Europe 

LGBT community in Chechnya faces ‘new wave of persecution’: UN human rights experts

Global Author
In a statement released by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the experts expressed alarm at information indicating a worsening situation for LGBT people in Chechnya: “Abuse inflicted on victims has allegedly become more cruel and violent compared with reports from 2017. It is no longer only gay men in Chechnya who are being targeted but… Read More
Europe 

Civilians ‘continue to pay highest price’ in Ukraine conflict, with peace prospects losing ‘momentum’

Global Author
 “More than 3,300 civilians have been killed, and up to 9,000 injured since the conflict began in 2014,” Ursula Mueller, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, told Council Members, adding that 1.5 million have been internally displaced. In 2019, she said, 3.5 million people will need humanitarian assistance and protection services, “many of whom are elderly, women and children”. The impact… Read More
Pacific 

Scale of displacement across Myanmar ‘very difficult to gauge’, says UN refugee agency

Global Author
Andrej Mahecic, spokesperson for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) expressed deep concern over the humanitarian impact of the continuing violence and the “potential for both further internal displacement and the outflow of refugees”. “As part of inter-agency efforts, UNHCR stands ready to support the humanitarian response in the affected areas in Myanmar”, he stated,… Read More
Europe 

Measles in Europe: infection rates highest in a decade, says UN health agency

Global Author
In 2018, measles killed 72 children and adults in the European Region, which consists of 53 countries, including Azerbaijan, Israel, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Close to 82,600 people in 47 of those 53 countries contracted the virus, representing the highest number of annual cases in the past decade: three times the total reported in 2017, and 15… Read More
Pacific 

Parliamentary bid to democratize Myanmar constitution a ‘positive development’ says UN rights expert

Global Author
“The establishment of this committee is a positive development that I hope will aid Myanmar to truly transition to democracy,” she said. Noting that there was popular support for constitutional reform, Ms. Yanghee Lee encouraged the new joint committee to deliver accordingly. The ruling National League for Democracy party, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, pledged to amend the constitution… Read More
Europe 

‘World’s deadliest sea crossing’ claimed six lives a day in 2018: UN refugee agency

Global Author
According to a new report from the agency, an estimated 2,275 individuals drowned or went missing in the Mediterranean in 2018. This is despite the fact that Europe saw the lowest number of refugees and migrants arriving for five years, at 139,300, principally Spain (65,400), Greece (50,500) and Italy (23,400). “Saving lives at sea is not a choice, nor a matter of… Read More
Pacific 

UN chief condemns deadly terrorist attack on church in southern Philippines

Global Author
In a statement issued by a UN spokesperson, the Secretary-General expressed his sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to the wounded. According to media reports, twin bombings ripped through the Jolo Cathedral in the island province of Sulu, which is in the Philippines southern Bangsamoro region. The attack occurred during Sunday morning services… Read More
Pacific 

Myanmar Government side-lining democratic reform, resorting to military era repression: UN expert

Global Author
Ms. Lee, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, described the “democratic space” in Myanmar (including freedom of speech and association) as “fragile,” with religious and ethnic divisions remaining across the country, as well as the marginalization and discrimination of minorities: “I am greatly concerned that the enduring repressive environment is discouraging people from speaking out… Read More
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