Among the growing trends noted in the report was the increase in people choosing not to cooperate with the UN due to concerns for their safety, or only doing so if kept anonymous.
Victims and witnesses in two-thirds of the States listed in the report requested anonymous reporting of reprisals, compared with just a third last year.
The increased surveillance of those who cooperate or attempt to cooperate with the UN was reported in half of the countries listed.
An increase in physical surveillance by State actors was also noted, likely linked to a return to in-person forms of UN engagement.
Notably, almost 45 per cent of the countries listed in the report continue to apply or enact new laws and regulations which punish, deter, or hinder cooperation with the UN. These legislative frameworks represent severe obstacles to long-standing human rights partners of the UN.
“A global context of shrinking civic space is making it increasingly difficult to properly document, report and respond to cases of reprisals, which means that the number is likely much higher,” said Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, Ilze Brands Kehris, in Thursday’s presentation to the Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Women and girls
The severity of reprisals against women and girls, which constitute half of the victims in this year’s report, was once again identified as a particular concern.
Most of these women were human rights defenders targeted for their cooperation with UN human rights mechanisms and peace operations, but there were also a significant number of judicial officers and lawyers.
“We have a duty to those who put their trust in us,” said Ms. Kehris.
“That is why at the UN, we are determined to live up to our collective responsibility to prevent and address intimidation and reprisals against those who cooperate with the organisation and its human rights mechanisms.”
Over 88,000 refugees from the Karabakh region have fled to Armenia in less than a week and humanitarian needs are surging, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) said on Friday.
Fenelon wrote in his book “Dialogue of the dead” that “war is an evil that dishonors humanity”.
ERIC GOZLAN
It is undeniable that war, this scourge that ravages humanity, sows devastation. The longer a conflict persists, the more it fuels animosity between the involved nations, making the restoration of trust between the belligerents all the more difficult. As the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia has already reached the sad centenary of its existence, it is difficult to imagine the torments endured by these two peoples, each bearing its share of suffering.
I hear and read allegations that Azerbaijan is committing genocide against Armenians. As Albert Camus pointed out, “misexplaining things adds to the world’s unhappiness.” It is essential to understand that the term “genocide” was first introduced by the Polish lawyer Raphael Lemkin in 1944, in his work titled “Axis Rule in Occupied Europe.” It is composed of the Greek “genos,” meaning “race” or “tribe”combined with the Latin “cide,” rmeaning “killing.” Raphael Lemkin coined this term not only to describe the systematic extermination policies carried out by the nazis against the Jewish people during the Holocaust but also other targeted actions aimed at destroying specific groups of individuals throughout history. Therefore, it is indisputable that Armenians were victims of genocide in 1915, and this must be acknowledged by all. However, it is equally crucial to recognize other tragedies, including those affecting Azerbaijanis, through the same lens of understanding and justice.
It is undeniable that Azerbaijanis have been severely affected by assassinations and killings, all because they were Azerbaijanis. Let’s delve into this lesser-known period of history that will help us better understand the current situation.
March 31, 1918, Azerbaijan massacre
In 1925, Lenin appointed Stepan Chaoumian as extraordinary commissar for the Caucasus. On March 31 of that year, for three days, the Azerbaijanis were massacred.
A German named Kulne described the events in Baku in 1925: “The Armenians stormed Muslim (Azerbaijani) quarters and killed all the inhabitants, piercing them with their bayonets. A few days later, the corpses of 87 Azerbaijanis had been dug out of a pit. Bodies disemboweled, noses cut off, genitals mutilated. The Armenians had shown no mercy for either the children or the adults”.
During the March massacre, the corpses of 57 Azerbaijani women were found in a single district of Baku, their ears and noses cut off and their stomachs torn open. The girls and women had been nailed to the wall, and the city hospital, where 2,000 people were trying to escape the attacks, was set on fire.
The deportation of Azerbaijanis from Armenia 1948-1953
In December 1947, the Communist leaders of Armenia addressed a letter to Stalin. In that letter, they agreed to move 130,000 Azerbaijanis from Armenia to Azerbaijan, creating vacancies for Armenians coming to Armenia from abroad. The details of the deportation were also set out in USSR Council of Ministers Decree No. 754. The plan was to deport around 100,000 people to the Kura-Aras plain (Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic) in three stages: 10,000 in 1948, 40,000 in 1949 and 50,000 in 1950.
The deportation of Azerbaijanis from Armenia in 1988-1989
In January 1988, under the aegis of the USSR leadership, over 250,000 Azerbaijanis and 18,000 Kurds were expelled from their ancestral lands. On December 7 of that year, a terrible earthquake struck the region. Azeri villagers were evacuated to Azerbaijan and throughout 1989 demanded the right to return and compensation for property lost in the disaster. However, the authorities in Spitak and Yerevan denied that the Azeris were double victims, arguing that they had left Spitak of their own free will.
The massacres of 1992
The Khodjaly Massacre: On February 25 and 26, 1992, during the Nagorno-Karabakh war, Armenian forces attacked the town of Khodjaly, which was mainly populated by Azeris. The siege of the town resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Azerbaijani civilians, including women, children and elderly. This massacre was widely condemned by the international community.
Garadaghly massacre: In February 1992, Armenian forces attacked the village of Garadaghly, outside Nagorno-Karabakh, killing many Azerbaijani civilians.
Maragha Massacre: In April 1992, Armenian forces attacked the village of Maragha, located in Nagorno-Karabakh, and killed several dozen civilians.
Now, with a better knowledge of history, it’s easier for us to understand the current situation.
Following attacks against them and civilians, Azerbaijan’s armed forces launched an attack on Armenian forces in Karabakh on September 19. The following day, Armenia refused to send soldiers to the region in order to counter-attack, revealing certain dissensions within Armenia. Armenia has two distinct governments: the central one in Yerevan, elected by the people, and the one in Karabakh, backed by Russian oligarchs.
The Prime Minister of the central government, Nikol Pachinian, has been expressing his desire to draw closer to the United States for some time, and has been negotiating with the Baku government for over a year. A few weeks ago, Nikol Pachinian announced his intention to recognize Azerbaijan’s sovereignty over Karabagh.
On September 6, the world discovered a photo of Anna Hakobyan, wife of the Prime Minister of Armenia, beaming as she shook hands with Volodymyr Zelensky. Mrs Hakobyan was in Kiev at the invitation of the Ukrainian President’s wife, Olena Zelenska, to take part in the annual summit of first ladies and spouses, dedicated to mental health. On the occasion of her first visit to the Ukrainian capital, Anna Hakobyan formalized the delivery, for the first time since the Russian invasion in February 2022, of humanitarian aid from Armenia to Ukraine. Although modest – around a thousand digital devices for schoolchildren – this assistance has great symbolic value.
The Karabakh government, supported as we know by Putin and the Russian oligarchs, has no desire to draw closer to the United States or Ukraine. Consequently, on September 19, it attempted a coup d’état to remove Pachinian from power.
Peace in the Caucasus is important for several reasons:
Regional stability: The Caucasus is a geopolitically complex region, with several countries in close proximity to one another, including Russia, Turkey, Iran, Armenia and Azerbaijan. Conflicts in this region can have destabilizing repercussions that extend beyond its borders.
Energy: The Caucasus is a key region for the transport of energy, particularly oil and natural gas. Pipelines criss-cross the region, carrying these resources to Europe and other international markets. Any conflict or instability in the region can disrupt energy supplies, with significant economic and geopolitical consequences.
European stability: Instability in the Caucasus can have repercussions for European security. Armed conflicts or humanitarian crises in this region can lead to refugee movements, tensions between Europe’s neighboring countries and disruption of energy supply routes, all of which can affect the continent’s security and stability.
The Author : A specialist in geopolitics and parallel diplomacy, Eric GOZLAN is a government advisor and directs the International Council for Diplomacy an Dialogue (www.icdd.info) Eric Gozlan is called as an expert at the National Assembly and the Senate on subjects dealing with parallel diplomacy and secularism In June 2019, he contributed to the United Nations Special Rapporteur’s report on anti-Semitism. In September 2018, he received the Peace Prize from Prince Laurent of Belgium for his fight for secularism in Europe. He took part in two numerous conferences on peace in Korea, Russia, the United States, Bahrain, Belgium, England, Italy, Romania… His latest book: Extremism and radicalism: lines of thought to get out of it
Scientists from the University of Virginia, USA, have found that petting dogs helps to increase immunity, reports the site of the educational institution.
The authors analyzed data from previous studies and came to the conclusion that short-term communication with dogs has a beneficial effect on the state of the human organism.
For example, the level of the stress hormone cortisol drops in humans in just 5-20 minutes in the company of a dog. The researchers also reported an increase in the level of oxytocin, a hormone that promotes good mood. This contributes to improving immunity and the health of the nervous system. What’s more, the same thing happens with pets.
Dog ownership is also associated with improved heart health, increased physical activity and better mental well-being: a pet provides companionship and a source of stability in life, and makes its owners feel loved.
The authors of the present study plan to do further studies in the future to prove their conclusions in larger samples.
Also, dogs can sense when their owners are going through a tough time and get stressed too. Swedish researchers came to this conclusion after studying 58 people who owned Border Collies or Shetland Sheepdogs.
The scientists examined hair from people and their dogs by checking levels of the hormone cortisol, which is released into the blood in response to stress and absorbed by hair follicles.
Lina Roth and her team at Linköping University found a synchrony in the cortisol levels of humans and their dogs, both in winter and summer. Specialists cannot explain the reason. They suggest that it is in the relationship that forms between a person and his best friend.
Dogs “become infected” by their owner’s stress, because he plays a big role in their lives. People can reduce their pets’ stress by playing with them more, scientists advise.
Photo by cottonbro studio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-in-white-long-sleeves-holding-dog-s-face-5961946/
A new report by UN International experts advancing racial justice and equality in policing, published after an official visit to the country, shows that Black people in the US are three times more likely to be killed by police than if they were White, and 4.5 times more likely to be incarcerated.
Dr Tracie Keesee, an expert member of the task force, said the testimonies she heard on how victims do not get justice or redress were “heart-breaking” and “unacceptable”.
“All actors involved, including police departments and police unions, must join forces to combat the prevailing impunity,” she said.
During their country visit, the experts heard testimonies from 133 affected individuals, visited five detention centres and held meetings with civil society groups as well as government and police authorities in the District of Columbia, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Chicago, Minneapolis and New York City.
They say that racism in the US, “a legacy of slavery, the slave trade, and 100 years of legalized apartheid that followed slavery’s abolition”, continues to exist in the form of racial profiling, police killings and many other human rights violations.
Chained in childbirth
The experts condemned the “appalling” overrepresentation of people of African descent in the criminal justice system.
They expressed concern over instances of children from the diaspora being sentenced to life imprisonment, pregnant women in prison being chained during childbirth, and persons held in solitary confinement for 10 years.
Not just a few ‘bad apples’
The report notes that there are more than 1,000 cases of killings by police each year in the country but only one per cent result in officers being charged.
The experts warned that if use of force regulations in the US are not reformed in accordance with international standards, killings by police will continue.
“We reject the ‘bad apple’ theory. There is strong evidence suggesting that the abusive behaviour of some individual police officers is part of a broader and menacing pattern,” said Professor Juan Méndez, an expert member of the Mechanism, as the Human Rights Council-appointed panel is formally known.
Mr. Mendez stressed that the police and justice systems reflect the attitudes prevalent in US society and institutions and called for “comprehensive reform”.
Alternative approach
The report’s authors insist that armed police officers “should not be the default first responders to every social issue in the US”, including for mental health crises or homelessness, and call for “alternative responses to policing”.
The experts highlighted the burden of a “work overload” on police officers, as well as systemic racism within police departments, which need to be addressed.
Good cop recommendations
The report made 30 recommendations to the US and all its jurisdictions, including the more than 18,000 police agencies in the country. It also highlighted local and federal good practices.
“We encourage the good practices to be reproduced in other parts of the country. We look forward to continuing to cooperate with the US to implement these recommendations,” Prof. Méndez said.
The Mechanism comprises three experts appointed by the Council: Justice Yvonne Mokgoro (Chair), Dr Keesee and Prof. Méndez. The experts are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work.
Geneva, September 28, 2023. The earthquake that struck the Marrakech region on September 8, 2023, was one of the most violent in Morocco’s history. The rural province of Al Haouz was hard hit, resulting in the loss of many lives and the destruction of entire villages.
In these difficult times, our international organizations: the International Observatory for Peace, Democracy and Human Rights (IOPDRH) and Promotion of Economic and Social Development (PDES) in Geneva, in collaboration with other international NGOs, are launching an appeal for donations to benefit the victims of this disaster.
We are appealing to the generosity of the local community, businesses, philanthropic organizations and all citizens of goodwill to support efforts to bring relief to the victims. Every donation, whatever its value to you, will help to alleviate the suffering of those who have lost everything.
By making a bank transfer to the: ACCOUNT WITH BANK AL-MAGHRIB (Moroccan National and Central Bank)
IBAN: MA64001810007800020110620318
SWIFT CODE : BKAMMAMR
Or visit the drop-off points for your in-kind donations: (See the list of needs on the campaign poster):
Basilique Notre Dame: Place de Cornavin, 1201 Geneva
Islamic Cultural Foundation of Geneva: Chemin Colladon 34, 1209 Geneva
La maison internationale des associations : Rue des Savoises 15, 1205 Genève
Our thoughts and prayers are with all the victims and their families
“Every day the lives of Haitian people become even harder, but it is vital that we do not give up. Their situation is not hopeless. With international support and resolve, the Haitian people can tackle this grave insecurity, and find a way out of this chaos,” Mr. Türk said.
The High Commissioner’s latest report on the human rights situation in Haiti stresses that the deployment of a multinational security support mission is essential to assist the HNP in tackling organized crime, armed gangs and international trafficking in arms, drugs and people.
The report details the findings of the High Commissioner’s Designated Expert on the human rights situation in Haiti, William O’Neill, who visited the country in June 2023.
According to the report, Haiti’s prisons are inhumane and the situation of detainees epitomizes the continued erosion of the rule of law in the Caribbean country.
At the end of June 2023, Haitian prisons held 11,810 inmates, more than three times their maximum capacity. Nearly 85 per cent of those in detention were awaiting trial.
During his visit to the National Penitentiary in the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince and the Central Prison in the northern city of Cap-Haïtien, Mr. O’Neill observed detainees crammed into small cells, in stifling heat, with limited access to water and toilets.
“They must endure a suffocating smell and, in the capital, mounds of rubbish, including human excrement, add to the squalor. The detainees must take turns sleeping because there is not enough room for them to lie down at the same time,” the report reads.
“Lives are at stake,” Mr.Türk said. “Time is of the essence – we need to comprehend the sense of urgency this crisis demands.”
Escalating violence
The latest report from the UN Secretary-General on Haiti says that “Haiti faces a multidimensional crisis, with gang violence at its centre, which undermines State institutions.”
Armed gangs control or exercise influence over about 80 per cent of the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area, with gang violence affecting all neighbourhoods.
According to the report, “violence is also spreading to departments beyond the capital. Over the past few months, a significant increase in serious crimes, such as homicide, kidnapping and rape, has been reported. Indiscriminate, large-scale attacks against entire neighbourhoods and their residents have displaced almost 130,000 people.”
The spread of gang violence has provoked popular protests against the Government and a rise in vigilante groups and related violence, including killings and lynchings, which has further frayed social cohesion.
In April 2023, an anti-gang vigilante movement, commonly known as “Bwa Kale”, emerged in Port-au-Prince.
The Secretary General stressed that “the prevalence of armed violence has a significant impact on socioeconomic activities. Freedom of movement is impaired as gangs extort, hijack or rob commercial and public vehicles transiting through arterial roads.”
“Schools have been forced to close as a result of escalating violence, with children being exposed to the risk of recruitment by gangs.
Gangs have managed to isolate entire neighbourhoods, predominantly for economic gain. They intimidate the local population through violent means, including the targeting of critical infrastructure.”
Humanitarian crisis
Insecurity has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis. The number of people in need of humanitarian aid has nearly doubled over the past three years. Attacks against schools by gang members have increased ninefold in the past year, and many health workers have left the country.
Once the security situation is stabilized, there needs to be investment in the development of socio-economic opportunities to enable the people of Haiti to access better living conditions and ensure lasting stability and prosperity of the country, according to the Un chief.
Strengthening State institutions
In Haiti, impunity and decades of poor governance and corruption have contributed to the current crisis.
“The cycle of violence never ends because rarely is anyone held to account,” said the Secretary-General. “It [the State] must hold accountable both those responsible for crimes and its own officials in the police, courts and prison system to provide security for and deliver justice to the population.”
This week, members of the UN Security Council are expected to continue negotiating a draft resolution authorizing the deployment of a non-UN multinational security support mission to Haiti.
More than 16,000 children are displaced in eastern Libya following Africa’s deadliest storm in recorded history the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warned on Thursday, highlighting the urgent need for psychosocial care.
Mr. Grandi stressed that UN refugee agency (UNHCR) convoys with more relief supplies are on the way.
“We are ready to mobilize additional resources to support the humanitarian efforts of the Government and people of Armenia,” he said.
UNHCR said earlier this week that most of those streaming across are vulnerable, including mainly older people, women and children, and that they require urgent emergency assistance.
UNHCR and UN partners, along with the office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Armenia, have been supporting the Government’s response to the influx of people, as needs keep rising.
UN chief António Guterres has also expressed his concern about the emergency. His spokesperson told reporters that it was essential that the rights of the displaced populations were protected and that they should receive the humanitarian support they need.
Indigenous Peoples’ rights must be central to green investments
“Green” finance investments on Indigenous Peoples’ land must rely on their participation and use a human rights-based approach.
That’s the message from the UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples, Francisco Cali-Tzay, who warned on Thursday that the shift to green finance should not create more problems for native communities already impacted negatively by fossil-fuel related projects.
Briefing the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, he said their scientific knowledge “is critical to solving the biodiversity loss and climate change crises.”
“Ensuring their participation and consent for projects affecting their lands is the obligation of States under international law. Business corporations and financial actors have similar responsibilities and obligations”.
The independent rights expert reminded the Council that “the most biodiverse and best-preserved lands, forests and shores on this planet are those…stewarded by Indigenous Peoples”.
He stressed that green investments could be a chance for Indigenous Peoples to obtain funding to preserve their lands, knowledge and distinct ways of life, and to “create economic opportunities that may help them to maintain and strengthen their indigenous identity”.
The Special Rapporteur also said that he was concerned by increasing reports that conservation and climate-oriented projects and programmes rarely include protections for the fundamental rights of Indigenous Peoples.
“Financial decision-makers have a crucial role in preventing this, by demanding social and environmental safeguards and effective due diligence protocols to ensure Indigenous Peoples’ participation before approving investments for green projects or programmes,” he insisted.
Collective efforts needed to stop wasting food while millions go hungry
A staggering one billion tonnes of food are wasted every year, while up to 783 million people around the world are facing hunger.
Ahead of the International Day of Awareness on Food Loss and Waste Reduction on Friday, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) are sounding the alarm over losses amounting to 13 per cent of the world’s food in the supply chain before products even hit the shelves, and a further 17 per cent lost in households and retail.
The agencies said that stopping food loss and waste boosts food security, saves resources and helps reduce our carbon footprint.
They called for urgent action from the public and private sector as well as consumers to save and preserve food and set out concrete steps for all stakeholders in a joint guide, insisting that “our collective efforts can make a difference”.
The UN Special Representative for Afghanistan Roza Otunbayeva has emphasized the need for a revised approach in engaging with the Taliban. Despite disagreements on matters such as women’s rights and inclusive governance, Otunbayeva believes that a new strategy should be pursued.
She expressed concerns about the lack of progress and trust erosion among all parties involved. It is important to note that engaging with the Taliban does not imply endorsing their policies; rather it is an attempt to bring about change.
Otunbayeva strongly opposes the Taliban policies, which have included than 50 decrees aimed at restricting women’s participation in public life and education. In a UN report based on interviews with over 500 Afghan women, it was found that 46% of them believe the Taliban should not be acknowledged under any circumstances. However, Otunbayeva argues that dialogue must continue with those in power.
In her Security Council briefing, @UN Special Rep for #Afghanistan Roza Otunbayeva:
📉 Growing evidence⬇️poppy cultivation 📅 Detailed report by @UNODC end Oct
Efforts to help affected communities: 🌾 Assistance to farmers 💊 Tackling drug abuse 👉https://t.co/aNLnO5TC8t
The proposed reframed strategy should acknowledge the Taliban’s responsibility for the well-being of all Afghan women. It should also include mechanisms to address long-term concerns of those in control and foster a more unified stance, from the international community.
Sima Bahous, the leader of UN Women, which is the UN agency focused on gender equality has drawn attention to the financial consequences of the Taliban’s policies. It is estimated that these policies cost one billion dollars annually. Bahous stressed the significance of women being heard. Emphasized that the UN Charter should be a guiding force for progress. Additionally, she called for a meeting of the Security Council Committee for sanctions against Afghanistan to explore their role in addressing violations of women’s rights in the country.
The call to action also involved a plea to explicitly incorporate “gender apartheid” into law. Karima Bennoune, an expert in matters echoed this sentiment and urged the global community to hold the Taliban accountable, for their systematic destruction of women’s rights.
