The World Council of Churches released a statement admitting that its months-long efforts to organize Ukraine Round Table had failed.
The attempt by the World Council of Churches (WCC) to bring together around a round table the two Ukrainian Orthodox churches, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine led by Metropolitan Epifany and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church under the leadership of Metropolitan Onufriy, linked to the Patriarchate of Moscow, to a dialogue table has failed.
The organization of the round table has included visits to Russia and Ukraine, but none of the Orthodox churches involved in the conflict has agreed to dialogue with the others. Both Ukrainian churches were categorical in their reluctance to talk.
The WCC statement said: “Unfortunately, despite the efforts we have made over the past months, the practical and political obstacles to the participation of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) and the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) as the main participants in such a dialogue process for now make our plans impossible. We continue to believe that the participation of both the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is an essential basis for the dialogue process we envisage to promote social cohesion among the people of Ukraine on its path as a free and independent nation, and for the broader search of peace in a deeply divided and conflicted world’.
“We pray that God will lead us forward on the path to peace and that circumstances and perspectives will change so that dialogue becomes possible,” the statement concluded.
Photo: Pontius Pilatus (fresco by Zahariy Zograf, monastery of Transfiguration, Bulgaria). The frescoes in the church are the work of the notable representative of the Samokov school of painting and date from 1849-1851.
The UN chief’s appeal comes as clean water and other vital supplies are dwindling inside Gaza in the wake of Israel’s blockade.
UN and other humanitarian agencies have worked round the clock to preposition aid since the latest conflict between Israel and Hamas broke out following the militant group’s 7 October attack on several locations inside Israel and Israel’s subsequent declaration of war.
Thousands have reportedly been killed on both sides and hundreds of thousands have been forced to flee as the situation in the Gaza Strip rapidly deteriorated after Israel warned of an imminent offensive.
“In this dramatic moment, as we are on the verge of the abyss in the Middle East, it is my duty as Secretary-General of the United Nations to make two strong humanitarian appeals,” said Antonio Guterres in a statement.
His appeal to Hamas is to immediately release the hostages without conditions. And Israel should grant rapid and unimpeded access for humanitarian aid for the civilians in Gaza.
“Our selfless staff on the ground, along with NGO partners, need to be able to bring these supplies into and throughout Gaza safely,” said Mr. Guterres.
These objectives should not become bargaining chips and must be implemented, appealed the UN Secretary-General, adding that it is “the right thing to do”.
Similar pleas came earlier on Sunday from UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini.
Speaking to journalist in East Jerusalem, the head of the UN agency dealing with Palestinian refugees, warned that his colleagues in Gaza were no longer able to provide humanitarian assistance.
“UNRWA operations are the largest United Nations footprint in the Gaza Strip, and we are on the verge of collapse,” he said, explaining that there was “not one drop of water, not one grain of wheat, not a litre of fuel” allowed into the Gaza Strip for the last eight days.
And soon, he added, there would be no food or medicine. Thousands of people have been killed, including children and women. Gaza is now even running out of body bags, the UNRWA chief lamented.
“In fact, Gaza is being strangled and it seems that the world right now has lost its humanity,” he stressed.
At least one million people were forced to flee their homes in one week alone, and “a river of people continues to flow south”.
‘Nothing less than collective punishment’
At least 400,000 displaced are now in UNRWA schools and buildings, most of which are not equipped as emergency shelters. Most of the 13,000 UNRWA staff in the Gaza Strip are now displaced or out of their own homes.
Children from families sheltering at an UNRWA school in Gaza eat bread distributed by the World Food Programme (WFP).
“We, as UNRWA, have already lost 14 staff members. They were teachers, engineers, guards and psychologists, an engineer and a gynaecologist,” said Mr. Lazzarini.
To sustain operations following the Israeli ultimatum, the UNRWA team in Gaza relocated to Rafah, working now in the same building that houses thousands of desperate displaced people who are likewise rationing their food and water.
Sanitary conditions are appalling, Mr. Lazzarini continued. “Old people, children, pregnant women, people with disabilities are just being deprived of their basic human dignity, and this is a total disgrace!”
“The siege in Gaza, the way it is imposed, is nothing less than collective punishment,” he stressed, demanding immediate safe passage of essential supplies such as fuel, water, food and medicine.
Tensions along the Blue Line
The conflict is now threatening to spill over into the wider region.
UNIFIL, the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, stated that intense exchanges of fire in several areas along the Blue Line between Lebanese territory and Israel were observed during Sunday. There have been impacts on both sides of the Blue Line, the unofficial border which separates Israel and Lebanon.
UNIFIL CHINMEU/Ding Wendong
Blue line equipment maintenance
“Our headquarters in Naqoura was hit with a rocket and we are working to verify from where,” the UNIFIL statement reads. The operation’s peacekeepers were not in shelters at the time, but none were injured.
Actively engaging with authorities on both sides of the Blue Line to de-escalate the situation, UNIFIL urges all the parties involved to cease fire and allow peacekeepers to help find solutions.
“No one wants to see more people hurt or killed,” underscored the statement, expressing regret that the military escalation continues.
WHO scales up response capacity
The increased tensions on the border between Israel and south Lebanon prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to increase its capacity to provide immediate access to lifesaving medical care to civilians there.
Two shipments arrived in Beirut today from WHO’s logistics hub in Dubai. They include enough surgical and trauma medicines and supplies to meet the needs of 800 to 1000 injured patients.
In a statement, the UN agency explained that Lebanon’s health system has been crippled because of an ongoing economic crisis, the Beirut port blast of 2020, and the additional burden of the Syrian refugee crisis.
The Lebanese Ministry of Health is in the process of identifying the referral hospitals that will receive the vital supplies from WHO.
People who have fled to Armenia from the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan have been talking about how their lives have been shattered by the recent escalation in hostilities there.
Six months of war have plunged Sudan into one of the worst humanitarian nightmares in recent history, the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator said on Sunday, calling on the parties to the conflict to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law.
Liège, student city: a dynamic and festive atmosphere
Located in Belgium, the city of Liège is renowned for its dynamic and festive student atmosphere. With its numerous universities and colleges, Liège attracts thousands of students from all walks of life every year. Let’s discover together what makes Liège such an attractive city for young people.
First of all, Liège offers a wide choice of quality higher education establishments. Whether it is the University of Liège, the Haute Ecole de la Province de Liège or the Haute Ecole de la Ville de Liège, students are spoiled for choice when it comes to pursuing their studies in a variety of fields. This diversity allows students to find the training that corresponds to their aspirations and their professional projects.
In addition to its numerous higher education institutions, Liège also has a very rich student life. The city offers many services specially dedicated to students, such as affordable student accommodation, well-equipped university libraries, university restaurants and much more. These services make daily life easier for students and help create a friendly atmosphere.
But what makes Liège such an attractive student city is above all its dynamic and festive atmosphere. Liège students are renowned for their joie de vivre and their festive spirit. The city is full of bars, cafes, restaurants and nightclubs where students can meet to spend pleasant times with friends. Student evenings are very popular in Liège and offer students the opportunity to have fun and relax after classes.
In addition to its lively nightlife, Liège also offers many cultural and sporting activities for students. The city has many museums, art galleries and theaters where students can learn about culture and art. Sports enthusiasts are not left out, with numerous clubs and sports associations where they can practice their favorite discipline. The city’s parks and green spaces also offer relaxation and leisure spaces for students seeking nature.
Liège is not only a student city, it is also an economically dynamic city. The presence of numerous companies and industries offers students numerous internship and job opportunities. Students thus have the opportunity to put their knowledge into practice and develop their professional skills while continuing their studies.
Finally, Liège is a city very well served in terms of transport. Thanks to its well-developed public transportation network, students can easily get around the city and get to their university campus. Additionally, the proximity to France, the Netherlands and Germany allows students to easily travel and discover new cultures.
In conclusion, Liège is a student city which offers a dynamic and festive atmosphere. With its quality higher education institutions, its rich student life and its numerous cultural and sporting activities, Liège is an ideal destination for students looking for an enriching experience. Whether for studies, leisure or work, Liège has everything you need to meet the expectations of young people.
Representatives of religious and belief communities, along with experts, recently gathered to discuss the issue of countering anti-religious hate crimes, at a side event organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).
A Focus on the Precursors of Anti-Religious Hate Crimes
The event took place on the margins of the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference, organized by the 2023 OSCE Chairpersonship of North Macedonia with the support of ODIHR. The participants emphasized the importance of creating an inclusive society based on mutual respect to effectively address this issue while adding a special focus on the precursors of hate crimes.
They identified that while some of the discriminations can not be defined as hate crimes with current agreed definitions, some government attitudes and policies are planting the seeds for anti-religious hate crimes to occur against some religious denominations.
Safeguarding Communities and Cultivating a Flourishing Environment
One of the key points highlighted by the participants was the need to work towards safeguarding communities from hate-motivated crimes. This involves implementing policies and initiatives that ensure the safety and well-being of religious or belief communities. However, it was also emphasized that countering anti-religious hate goes beyond crime prevention. It is equally important to create an environment in which these communities can thrive and flourish.
Fostering Mutual Respect and Understanding
In order to effectively counter anti-religious hate crimes, participants stressed the importance of fostering mutual respect and understanding. They emphasized the need for policies and genuine dialogue that promote inclusivity and acceptance of different religious or belief systems. Kishan Manocha, the Head of the ODIHR Tolerance and Non-Discrimination department, stated that this approach not only allows individuals and communities to live free from hate, but also enables them to thrive.
Addressing Anti-Religious Hate Crimes and Intolerance
The discussions at the event focused on the commitments of OSCE states to address anti-religious intolerance and hate crimes. This includes crimes that are motivated by bias against Christians, Jews, Muslims, and members of other religions, and this case the event had a representative of the Church of Scientology who showed the discrimination and dehumanization being instigated by German authorities against this community.
The participants also discussed good practices in combating hate crime and addressing the impact of crimes motivated by multiple biases.
Engaging with affected communities: Participants emphasized the importance of engaging with the communities most affected by anti-religious hate crimes to understand their specific security needs.
Demonstrating commitment: Authorities were urged to demonstrate a real commitment to protecting freedom of religion or belief for all individuals. This includes swiftly condemning anti-religious hate crimes and taking proactive measures to ensure the safety of religious or belief communities.
Building trust and inclusivity: Meaningful cooperation and communication with targeted communities should be at the centre of states’ efforts to build equal, open, and inclusive societies.
ODIHR’s Initiatives
During the event, ODIHR presented its various programs, resources, and tools that can be utilized by OSCE participating States and civil society to address anti-religious hate. One notable resource is ODIHR’s Hate Crime Report, which provides data and information on hate crimes in the OSCE area.
Overall, the event served as a platform for participants to discuss the current challenges and share insights on countering anti-religious hate. The key takeaways highlight the importance of inclusivity, mutual respect, and meaningful engagement with affected communities in creating societies that are free from hate and discrimination. By fostering an environment in which religious and belief communities can thrive, the aim is to build equal, open, and inclusive societies for all.
The speakers were Eric Roux (Co-Chair, FoRB Roundtable Brussels-EU), Christine Mirre (Director, Coordination des Associations et des Particuliers pour la Liberté de Conscience – CAP Freedom of Conscience), Alexander Verkhovskiy (Director, SOVA Research Center), Isabella Sargsyan (Program Director, Eurasia Partnership Foundation; Member, ODIHR Panel of Experts on Freedom of Religion or Belief) and Ivan Arjona-Pelado (President, European Office of the Church of Scientology for Public Affairs and Human Rights).
Some 1.1 million people would be expected to leave northern Gaza the same order applied to all UN staff and those sheltered in UN facilities, including schools, health centres and clinics.
Humanitarians expressed deep concern on Friday for all civilians in the Gaza Strip following Israel’s order for the entire population there to leave the north, amid ongoing airstrikes and a deepening crisis. The UN chief told reporters outside the Security Council the world had to unite around the principle of protecting civilians and “finding a lasting solution to this unending cycle of death and destruction.”
The development follows an announcement by UN Spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, just before midnight Eastern Standard Time on Thursday, that UN representatives in Gaza had been told by Israeli military liaison officers everyone living north of Wadi Gaza should relocate to southern Gaza within 24 hours.
Some 1.1 million people would be expected to leave northern Gaza, Mr. Dujarric said, adding that the same order applied to all UN staff and those sheltered in UN facilities, including schools, health centres and clinics.
The UN considers it “impossible” for such a movement to take place without devastating humanitarian consequences and appeals for the order to be rescinded, he added.
Guterres calls on Israel to avert ‘humanitarian catastrophe’
Briefing journalists in New York on Friday afternoon, Mr. Dujarric said the UN Secretary-General António Guterres had been “working the phones” since Thursday night.
“He’s been in constant contact with Israeli authorities urging them to avert a humanitarian catastrophe.” The UN chief has also been in touch with ambassadors in New York and other key officials in the Middle East.
Mr. Dujarric said it was essential to provide humanitarian access for civilians trapped inside the Gaza Strip to prevent more deaths.
The noose around the civilian population in #Gaza is tightening.
He said it was vital to protect all civilians, including those sheltering in UN Palestine refugee agency (UNRWA) schools.
‘Pushing people into the abyss’
UN humanitarians joined their voices to these calls on Friday, urging the parties to save civilian lives.
UN relief chief Martin Griffiths, tweeted that “the noose around the civilian population in Gaza is tightening“, asking how such a huge number of people could possible move across a “densely populated warzone” in just 24 hours.
Philippe Lazzarini, the head of UNRWA, warned that the relocation order “will only lead to unprecedented levels of misery and further push people in Gaza into abyss”. He said that over 423,000 people across the enclave have already been displaced, of whom more than 270,000 have taken refuge in UNRWA shelters.
The agency tweeted later on Friday that Gaza was “fast becoming a hell hole and is on the brink of collapse. There is no exception, all parties must uphold the laws of war.”
Briefing reporters in Geneva, UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) spokesperson James Elder regretted that the humanitarian situation has now reached “lethal lows”.
He highlighted that the Gaza Strip is one of the most densely populated places on the planet and people, including hundreds of thousands of children, who are finding themselves “with nowhere safe to go”.
OCHA spokesperson Jens Laerke also underscored the impossibility of a relocation, asking, “in the middle of a war zone where people are already at the end of the rope, how is that going to happen?”
Aid ‘locked out’
He also insisted on the urgency of humanitarian access to Gaza as all supplies were rapidly depleting.
“We’re pretty much locked out,” he said.
On Thursday, the UN launched a flash appeal for $294 million for 77 humanitarian partners to address the most urgent needs of 1.26 million people in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
“This is a response to an escalation that has put civilians in a situation in which they should never be,” Mr. Laerke said about the appeal. “The most urgent priority is now to de-escalate,” he added.
📢⚠️ Flash appeal:
The situation in the #GazaStrip and #Israel continues to unfold rapidly. Ongoing hostilities are having grave humanitarian consequences.
Humanitarians require US$294M to address the most urgent needs of 1.3M people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. ⬇️
WHO’s Mr. Jašarević insisted that the health system in Gaza is at a “breaking point”. The two major hospitals in the north of the Gaza Strip, the Indonesian Hospital and Shifa Hospital, have already exceeded their combined 760-bed capacity and the hospitals in the south of Gaza were also “overflowing”.
Six of the seven main hospitals in Gaza are only partially functioning, he added.
‘Death sentence’ for the vulnerable
He stressed that moving vulnerable patients such as those critically injured and adults, children and newborns depending on life support in intensive care, would be a “death sentence”.
“Asking health workers to do so is beyond cruel,” he said.
Mr. Jašarević painted a very grim picture of the reality in Gaza’s health facilities, saying that health workers on the ground described dead bodies “piling up” as there is no more space in the morgues, and ambulances and doctors have to make a “horrific choice” as to who to save and who to leave behind.
Attacks on healthcare
He added that as of Thursday 34 attacks on health care in the Gaza Strip had been confirmed since the beginning of the current offensive resulting in the deaths of 11 health care workers on duty. The Gaza Emergency Operation Centre, supported by WHO, has sustained heavy damages, he said.
He also cited reports of an attack by Hamas on Ashkelon hospital in Israel over the past weekend, in which one paramedic was killed.
Release hostages, protect civilians
UN human rights office (OHCHR) spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani insisted yet again that civilians “must never be used as bargaining chips”. She called for the “immediate and unconditional” release of hostages and their humane treatment.
OHCHR urged Palestinian armed groups to “halt the use of inherently indiscriminate projectiles, which violate international humanitarian law, as well as attacks directed against civilians”. The UN office also urged Israel to ensure full respect for international humanitarian and human rights law “in any and all military operations”.
OHCHR said that rhetoric from Israeli high-level officials “raises concerns that a message is being sent to the members of the Israeli Defense Forces that international humanitarian law has become optional rather than compulsory”.
UNICEF’s James Elder also insisted that in this dire situation, “compassion – and international law – must prevail”.
Rise in hate speech
Addressing the ever-stronger echoes of the conflict across the world, Ms. Shamdasani said that UN rights chief Volker Türk deplored the fact that in many countries, there has been a “proliferation of anti-Semitic and Islamophobic hate speech”.
Appealing to leaders to stem such hate speech and incitements to violence, the OHCHR spokesperson that faced with this desperate situation, the world should unite.
“This is a time for the international community to come together in solidarity, advocating for the protection of all civilians, no matter where, no matter what,” she insisted.
The UN Security Council is now meeting behind closed doors, to address the situation in Gaza.
Briefing on his way into the chamber, UN chief António Guterres said the situation in Gaza “has reached a dangerous new low.”
He said moving over a million Gazans “across a densely populated warzone to a place with no food, water, or accommodation, when the entire territory is under siege, is extremely dangerous – and in some cases, simply not possible.”
Unending cycle of death and destruction must end – Guterres
Hospitals in the south of Gaza are already at capacity and will not be able to accept thousands of new patients, he stressed.
Morgues are overflowing, 11 healthcare staff have been killed while on duty; and there have been 34 attacks on health facilities.
“Our United Nations staff and our partners are working around the clock to support the people of Gaza. We mourn for our colleagues who have been killed – a number that is increasing by the day.”
He also expressed deep concern over the exchanges of fire across the Blue Line – the unofficial frontier between south Lebanon and northern Israel – demanding that it stop.
A Middle Bronze Age shipwreck discovered at Kumluk, off Antalya, on Turkey’s southern coast, is believed to be one of the world’s oldest known wrecks. It represents a significant discovery for underwater archeology from this early period.
A team of 40 experts led by Professor Hakan Yoniz has been conducting underwater excavations off the coast of Antalya and recently discovered new relics belonging to the ship and its crew.
Using advanced technology and robots, they removed 30 copper blocks weighing 1.5 tons, amphorae and sailors’ personal belongings from the ship, Anadolu Agency (AA) reported.
Underwater archaeologists equipped with special apparatus painstakingly recovered artifacts from a ship that sank 3,600 years ago at a depth of approximately 50 meters.
Some items took a month to extract, using small tools and vacuum devices to avoid damaging the unique artifacts.
The finds, particularly the copper ingots (castings) representing the currency of the time, highlight the region’s rich cultural heritage, including its role in the early history of maritime trade and shipbuilding.
“This ship, which was probably loaded with copper from the mines on the island of Cyprus, sank during a storm on its way to the island of Crete,” Ioniz said.
“This happened approximately 3,550 to 3,600 years ago. In this context, the Middle Bronze Age shipwreck of Kumluka still holds the title of the oldest merchant ship in the world,” Oniz added.
All restored objects go through a salt removal process at the Regional Laboratory for Restoration and Conservation in Antalya.
Work continues on one of the world’s oldest shipwrecks, at great depth, which is expected to reveal more unique artifacts of underwater archaeology.
Photo: Divers past one of the ‘oldest known shipwrecks’, Antalya | AA
The recent Israel Gaza crisis became a topic during the Human Rights Council sessions conclusion, where 22 countries and one non governmental organization (NGO) participated in an urgent debate. The crisis was triggered by Hamas launching attacks on Israel and the capture of over 100 Israelis held hostage in Gaza by militants.
It's a wrap!
The @UN Human Rights Council concluded its 54th session (#HRC54) after 🗓️holding 50 meetings over 5 weeks 🗣️hearing from 80+ speakers 📃reviewing 100+ reports 👨⚖️adopting 36 resolutions
— United Nations Human Rights Council (@UN_HRC) October 13, 2023
Israel Gaza crisis tweets
Countries from the states strongly condemned Hamas and expressed their support for Israels right to defend itself. On the hand countries belonging to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab Group focused on Israels attacks on Gaza and showed their support for the Palestinian peoples right to self determination.
Opposing opinions Israel Gaza crisis
During the debate several nations expressed their concerns. Showed support for both sides involved in the conflict. Pakistan, Algeria and Sudan discussed Israels actions in Gaza including casualties and damage to infrastructure. They called for establishing corridors. France, the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany emphasized their support for Israel while condemning Hamas for its acts of terrorism. Belgium and Czechia also expressed backing for Israel along, with urging the release of hostages. South Africa, China and India have called for a de escalation of tensions. Emphasized the importance of pursuing peace efforts.
During the meeting Palestine and Israel despite not being members actively participated by sharing their perspectives on the Israel Gaza crisis.
Representing Palestine Ambassador Ibrahim M. Khraishi appealed passionately for an end to what he described as an ongoing “massacre” in Gaza. He highlighted the loss of lives including innocent children, as well as the destruction of critical infrastructure such as hospitals and ambulances. Khraishi expressed disappointment towards states that align themselves with Israel and referred to them as “criminals.” He also underlined the determination of the Palestinian people to attain freedom and put an end to occupation.
On behalf of Israel Ambassador Meirav Eilon Shahar shed light on Hamas brutal tactics and the significant loss of life caused by this group. She accused Hamas of targeting innocent civilians destroying homes and even attacking children. Shahar urged nations to condemn Hamas unequivocally while standing in solidarity with Israels fight against terrorism.
The International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) a governmental organization (NGO) condemned all crimes committed during this conflict, by both sides.They have appealed to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to expedite its investigation into the crimes committed in Palestine and Israel. The ISHR has also called upon the Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, which was established by the Human Rights Council to address the causes of the conflict. These causes include settler colonialism, apartheid and the denial of rights to the Palestinian people.
As discussions came to a close during the Human Rights Council session it was clear that the Israel Gaza crisis continued to be a focus. The diverse range of opinions and calls for action highlight just how complex this conflict is and emphasize the need for a peaceful resolution. It is crucial for international organizations like ICC and Human Rights Council to thoroughly investigate and address any human rights violations committed by all parties involved. Ultimately finding a lasting solution for the Israel Gaza crisis requires a commitment to dialogue, de escalation and respect, for both Palestinian rights and aspirations.
“We share the concerns expressed on Tuesday by the Presidency of the ICC’s Assembly of States Parties that these actions are unacceptable, and we call for them to be promptly withdrawn,” said Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani, speaking in Geneva.
Last month, Russia issued arrest warrants against the President, deputy and one of the judges at the ICC, which investigates and tries persons charged with the gravest crimes, namely genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression.
The development follows the Court’s issuance of arrest warrants in March against Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Commissioner for Children’s Rights, Maria Lvova-Belova, for alleged unlawful deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia.
Days later, Russia opened cases against ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan and three Court judges, according to media reports.
Fighting against impunity
The ICC was established in July 2002 under a treaty known as the Rome Statute and is based in The Hague, in the Netherlands.
The Court is “a cornerstone of the rule of law and complements the work of national courts in the fight against impunity,” said Ms. Shamdasani.
“It is therefore crucial that it, and its officials, can perform their vital functions under the Rome Statute, unhindered by pressure, interference, or intimidation – from any quarter,” she added.
