With record numbers of people transiting through Central America and Mexico in search of a better life further north, UN migration agency IOM on Wednesday appealed for regional action to address their immediate needs while tackling the drivers of migration.
Regional action essential to address migrant surge through Central America
The dazzling architecture of Mechelen: between tradition and modernity
The dazzling architecture of Mechelen: between tradition and modernity
The town of Mechelen, located in Belgium, is a true architectural gem. With its harmonious blend of traditional buildings and modern structures, this city offers a dazzling sight for architecture lovers.
Mechelen has a long history dating back to medieval times, and this is reflected in its architecture. The narrow, winding streets of the old town are full of buildings dating back centuries. St. Rumbold’s Cathedral, with its imposing spire and beautifully ornate Gothic interior, is one of the city’s highlights. With a height of 97 meters, this cathedral is a true masterpiece of Gothic architecture.
Strolling through the streets of Mechelen, one discovers many other historic buildings, such as the Town Hall, with its richly decorated facade, or the Church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste, another impressive example of architecture Gothic.
But Mechelen is not limited to its medieval heritage. Over the years, the city has also developed modern and contemporary architecture that blends perfectly with historic buildings. One of the most striking examples of this combination of tradition and modernity is the Hof van Busleyden Museum. Located in a historic 16th century building, the museum has been completely renovated and expanded with a modern glass extension. This juxtaposition of old and new creates a unique atmosphere that makes visiting the museum even more interesting.
Another outstanding example of modern architecture in Mechelen is the Lamot cultural and congress center. Located in a former brewery, this building has been transformed into a multi-purpose space where exhibitions, conferences and cultural events take place. Its contemporary architecture combines modern materials such as glass and metal with traditional elements, such as the red bricks characteristic of the region.
In addition to these specific examples, Mechelen is full of many other modern buildings that demonstrate the city’s architectural innovation. The architects managed to integrate contemporary structures into the existing urban fabric, creating a visual harmony that is both impressive and pleasing to the eye.
Besides its architecture, Mechelen also offers many other attractions for visitors. The city has a rich cultural history, with many museums, art galleries and historic sites to discover. Additionally, Mechelen is also known for its beer, and visitors can sample a wide variety of Belgian beers in the town’s many cafes and breweries.
In conclusion, the architecture of Mechelen is a fascinating blend of tradition and modernity. With its well-preserved medieval heritage and innovative modern buildings, the city offers a unique visual experience. Whether you are a history, art or architecture lover, Mechelen is an unmissable destination. So don’t hesitate any longer and come discover the dazzling architecture of this charming Belgian city.
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
‘You can’t even face your own parents’, cyberbullying victim tells Human Rights Council
According to findings from the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), 130 million students worldwide experience bullying, which has been exacerbated by the spread of digital technologies. UNICEF estimates that one in every three students from 13 to 15 is a victim.
Suicide risk
The Council heard heartfelt testimony from 15-year-old Santa Rose Mary, a children’s advocate from Uganda, who said that once one’s personal information or intimate photos have been shared online, “you can’t even face the community where you live, you can’t even face your own parents”.
She warned that such situations can bring a child to take their own life when they “have that feeling of not being needed in the community”.
UN deputy human rights chief Nada Al-Nashif noted that according to the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), cyberbullying affects girls almost twice as much as boys.
Far-reaching effects
Ms. Al-Nashif quoted research from the UN World Health Organization (WHO), showing that children who are subject to bullying are more likely to skip school, perform less well on tests and can suffer sleeplessness and psychosomatic pain.
Some studies also show “far-reaching effects extending into adulthood”, such as high prevalence of depression and unemployment, she said.
Getting it right
Ms. Al-Nashif told the Council that the “complex” topic of cyberbullying lies at the intersection of human rights, digital and policy issues.
“To get this right, we must adopt a holistic approach, and address root causes”, she said, underscoring that “central to this is the voice of children themselves”.
She also stressed the “centrality and power of companies in the online space”, insisting on the responsibility of tech companies to provide adapted privacy tools and follow content moderation guidelines “in line with international human rights standards”.
15 million attacks: Facebook and Instagram
A representative of Meta, Safety Policy Director Deepali Liberhan, took part in the discussion and spoke to the magnitude of the problem.
She said in the third quarter of 2023 alone, some 15 million pieces of content had been detected on Meta’s platforms Facebook and Instagram that constituted bullying and harassment; most were proactively removed by Meta before even being reported, she said.
Ms. Liberhan highlighted the company’s content moderation policies and ways in which Meta was enforcing them on its platforms, partnering with experts to inform the action it takes, and incorporating anti-bullying tools into the user experience.
School violence and bullying, including cyberbullying, is widespread and affects a significant number of children and adolescents.
Collective responsibility
At the conclusion of the session, panellist Philip Jaffé, Member of the Committee on the Rights of the Child, stressed the “collective” responsibility for the safety of our children.
“We need to make children more aware of their rights and make States and other components of society more aware of their obligations to protect [them],” he insisted.
Europe’s most stressed-out country is revolutionizing mental healthcare
In a nation known for its picturesque landscapes and a relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle, a hidden reality is finally being acknowledged. Greece, despite its reputation for tranquillity, has been grappling with a mental health challenge greater than any other in Europe. It’s a crisis fuelled by the lingering effects of the financial crisis, which hit Greece notoriously hard, as well as collective income loss, GDP decline, and funding cuts. In the face of such adversity, Greece is at last beginning to take significant strides towards enhancing its mental health services.
In a significant move towards improving mental health services, the Greek government has appointed a minister for mental health—a welcome signal of their commitment to addressing this pressing issue. This represents a shift towards the Swedish and German approach of recognizing the importance of mental health in a society’s well-being.
Greece, much like its Mediterranean neighbour Italy, is confronting a paradox: a seemingly serene lifestyle concealing soaring stress levels. The Gallup 2019 Global Emotions poll dropped a startling revelation that 59% of Greeks had experienced stress in the preceding 24 hours, the highest rate across all the nations surveyed. Studies done post-Covid-19 seem to have further exacerbated the crisis.
The survey also identified neighbouring countries such as Italy, Albania, Cyprus, and Portugal as among the most stressed in Europe. In stark contrast, Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia, and Denmark reported significantly lower levels of stress. Taking lessons from other nations, and based on the principles of open, evidence-based, community-focused and data-led care, the Greek 5-year plan was launched through law no. 5015/2023 in February.
The Greek solution has already started to work. Greece has transitioned its mental healthcare system towards a community-based primary care approach, in opposition to the failed and abused bio-medical model. This shift has brought significant improvements in the delivery of mental health care services for children and adolescents and works on an understanding that mental health can in many cases be best treated using the power of community and socialisation, as well as an understanding that support can be most accessible when integrated into schools, sports and other community activities. However, despite these positive changes, various challenges persist, creating obstacles for children and families seeking mental health care.
Resource distribution in Greece’s mental healthcare system is far from equal, resulting in significant disparities in service availability and care quality across regions and socioeconomic groupings. The public sector, in particular, grapples with a shortage of child and adolescent doctors and other certified mental health professionals. This scarcity poses significant challenges for training programs seeking to bridge these gaps. Furthermore, an absence of official epidemiological data means the needs of various actors within the mental health services remain obscured.
Leaning further into the successes of the community-based approach, the CAMHI initiative needs accurate data to understand the mental health needs of children, adolescents, their families, caregivers, educators, and professionals working with them. Participants also received the Synthesis Report, recently released for the Child & Adolescent Mental Health Initiative (CAMHI), which offers a comprehensive overview for Greek mental health and sets out clear goals for child mental health. For instance, CAMHI aims for training programmes to address personnel shortages, collaborative networks, and online resources so that children and adults can have the information they need to be vigilant about their own mental health.
When adults and young people become conscious not just of their physical but also of their mental health needs, there are opportunities for more efficient preventative strategies which can be highly effective and reduce the strain on public health services. For instance, sports and time in the sun are known to release endorphins which chemically relieve stress, while other aids like stress balls and chewing sugar-free gum can be the key to self-care practices like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and meditation, which can reduce anxiety and improve focus through repeated actions like chewing and squeezing.
Perhaps the most pivotal moment of this project took place at the 2023 SNF Nostos Conference in June. This gathering brought together a diverse array of experts, including researchers, practitioners, and activists, to discuss the progress of the CAMHI, the 5-year public-private partnership to radically improve mental health services in Greece. The conference covered a wide range of topics, from the impact of loneliness on mental health to the role of arts, AI, and technology in addressing mental health challenges.
Notable speakers at the conference included influential figures like Glenn Close, Goldie Hawn, David Hogg, Michael Kimmelman, Harold S. Koplewicz, and Sander Markx. But by far the most prominent participant was none other than former U.S. President Barack Obama, whose presence emphasized the global importance of addressing mental health issues and investing in future generations.
As Greece continues its journey towards improved mental health and well-being, it serves as an example to the world of what can be achieved when a nation collectively decides to prioritize the well-being of its people and proves that good policy can improve mental health in even the most extreme of crises.
United Nations, Omar Harfouch accused Lebanon to be “an anti-Semitic, discriminatory, and racist country”
Geneva, 26 September 2023 – The United Nations Human Rights Council, in its 54th Regular Session held today, heard a riveting speech from Omar Harfouch, a renowned Lebanese pianist, during its 24th meeting.
Born a Sunni Muslim, Harfouch was educated in a Christian school, a reflection of the religious diversity that Lebanon is known for. However, his presence at the council wasn’t primarily for his musical talents but to shed light on a pressing issue he faces in his homeland.
The pianist revealed he’s facing persecution by the Lebanese government because of his opinions and interactions. He highlighted the charges against him by the Lebanese military court, emphasizing the threat of the death penalty for merely being in the same room as an American-Israeli journalist and delivering a speech at the European Parliament.
His accusations against the Lebanese government were profound and were transmitted through UN Web TV. Harfouch candidly expressed, “Lebanon is an anti-Semitic, discriminatory, and racist country.” He called on the international community, especially the attendees at the United Nations Human Rights Council, to challenge Lebanon’s stringent policies that restrict freedom of expression and association.
In a poignant moment, Harfouch addressed the attendees, questioning if there were any Jews, Israelis, Zionists, or pro-Israelis present. He emphasized that, according to Lebanese law, he would need to discriminate against them. “Which I refuse to do,” he passionately stated. He underscored that no one should be judged based on birth, religion, or nationality, urging the council’s members to support his plea to abolish the “racist and discriminatory law.”
The speech garnered widespread attention, with many ambassadors and human rights advocates expressing their concern about the allegations and showing solidarity with Harfouch.
The 54th Session of the Human Rights Council continues, with more statements from representatives and discussions on various global human rights issues. The international community awaits further reactions and potential resolutions in light of Harfouch’s compelling address.
First resignation after scandal with ex-Nazi soldier welcomed in Canadian parliament
The Speaker of the House of Commons of the Parliament of Canada, Anthony Rota, resigned because of the admission in the plenary hall of a former Nazi soldier and the words of praise addressed to him, the world agencies reported.
The incident in question happened during the visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the Parliament of Canada on Friday. Then among the guests in the plenary hall, invited because of his visit, was a Ukrainian who was a member of the Nazi forces – the 98-year-old Ukrainian immigrant Yaroslav Hunka. The chairman of the House of Commons, Anthony Rota, addressed him with welcoming words.
When it became clear who this person was, a huge scandal broke out, and there was also a reaction from Russia. Hunka served in the 14th Grenadier Division of the SS paramilitary organization, whose crimes against humanity during the Holocaust are well documented.
An association of the Jewish community in Canada has demanded an apology from Ottawa for Friday’s incident during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to the Canadian parliament.
The Russian Embassy in Ottawa sent a note to the Canadian Foreign Ministry, as well as the offices of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Speaker of the House of Commons Anthony Rota.
Soon after, it became clear that Rota was withdrawing. “It is with a heavy heart that I inform members of Parliament that I am resigning as Speaker of the House of Commons,” he said and expressed his deep regret for the mistake.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office has denied involvement in the case and asserted its independence from the Speaker of Parliament. The Ukrainian delegation accompanying Zelensky was also not informed of the presence of this person in the plenary hall, Trudeau’s office clarified.
The SS Division Galicia (or Galicia) was formed by residents of Western Ukraine in 1943. In July 1944, it was almost completely destroyed in the Battle of Brody, after which it was re-formed and used in Slovakia, Yugoslavia and Austria.
In April 1945, it was withdrawn from the SS, renamed the 1st Ukrainian Division and became part of the Ukrainian National Army. In May, its soldiers surrendered to the British and American forces, TASS recalls.
Myanmar: ‘Inhumanity in its vilest form’ continues, warns Türk
“Each day, the people of Myanmar are enduring horrifying attacks, flagrant human rights violations and the crumbling of their livelihoods and hopes,” said Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
He was briefing the Human Rights Council – the UN’s primary body for the protection and promotion of rights globally, including findings since his July report was issued.
Junta’s ruthless repression
Mr. Türk emphasized the military’s blatant disregard for fundamental principles of humanity as well as the Security Council’s repeated demands for an immediate cessation of hostilities and unhindered humanitarian access.
“We are faced here with a system of ruthless repression designed to coerce and subjugate its people and to erode a society so that the predatory interests of the military are preserved,” he said.
“Senseless military attacks are exacerbating the human rights crisis with interconnected humanitarian, political, and economic impacts, imposing an unbearable toll on the people in Myanmar.”
Muzzling free press
He also voiced concerns over the military’s denial of humanitarian access to those affected by Cyclone Mocha in May, particularly in Rakhine state, where widowed Rohingya women have reportedly been forced to beg for food.
The military also threatened legal action against anyone reporting a different death toll from the massive disaster to the junta’s official figure of 116 deaths.
In this context, a photojournalist was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment by a military for covering the post-cyclone situation in Rakhine, the biggest sentence handed down to a journalist since the 2021 coup.
Reliance on foreign sources
Mr. Türk pointed to three specific military tactics employed against civilians: airstrikes, mass killings, and the burning of villages.
Between April 2022 and May 2023, the military conducted 687 airstrikes, more than double the number in the preceding 14 months.
The report corroborated data confirming that the increased use of air power, along with heavy weaponry, military hardware and aviation fuel, “can only be purchased from foreign sources”, the rights chief said.
‘Inhumanity in its vilest form’
Mr. Türk further reported that ground operations resulted in 22 documented mass killings – involving the murder of ten or more individuals. Witnesses described soldiers using horrific methods to inflicting pain on civilians, including burning alive, beheading, dismemberment, rape and more.
“This is inhumanity in its vilest form,” the High Commissioner said, stating that entire villages were set ablaze, leading to the destruction of over 75,000 structures, driving displacement and increasing humanitarian needs.
Civilian rule has vanished
“Civilian rule of law in Myanmar has vanished, with the military deliberately eroding the foundations of governance and justice in the country,” Mr. Türk said, urging the Security Council to refer the situation to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
According to credible sources, 24,836 people have been arrested, 19,264 are still detained, and 150 have been sentenced to death by military-controlled courts that lack any independence or adherence to due process or fair trial rights.
All the heads of Central Asian countries meet in Berlin
By Hasanboy Burhanov (founder and leader of political opposition movement Erkin O’zbekiston/Free Uzbekistan)
Is the “C5+1” format German in nature, regarding the upcoming meeting in Berlin?
On Friday, September 29th, a meeting will take place in Berlin between the leadership of Germany and the presidents of Kazakhstan – Tokayev, Kyrgyzstan – Japarov, Tajikistan – Rahmon, Turkmenistan – Serdar Berdymukhamedov, and Uzbekistan – Mirziyayev.
This gathering of all the heads of Central Asian countries with a member of the European Union is happening for the first time. Additionally, the Asian guests will participate in an economic forum organized by the Eastern Committee of German Business (Ost-Ausschuss der Deutschen Wirtschaft), of which Michael Harms serves as the executive director.
As noted by the Federal Chancellor Scholz’s press service, the discussions during the negotiations will revolve around strengthening regional and economic cooperation.
This is precisely what Harms was talking about in Dushanbe in early September this year. Participating in the Tajikistan-Germany Investment Forum, the executive director noted: “As an alternative to Russia, German companies intend to enter the Central Asian markets.
Michael Harms, who has long-standing and close ties with the Putin regime, is among the influential Russian lobbyists in Germany. They have not only influenced their own country but also the entire Europe into dependency on Russian gas.
Last year, when Putin’s favorite criminal oligarch Alisher Usmanov was trying to get EU sanctions lifted, along with Hungarian Prime Minister Orban, Turkish President Erdogan, Kazakh President Tokayev and Uzbek President Mirziyayev, patrons of the Eastern Committee of the German Economy Michael Harms and Manfred Grundke tried unsuccessfully to influence the German leadership to get Usmanov out of sanctions.
Last year, considering Russia’s war against Ukraine, there was a suspicious surge in pro-Russian business activities in the Central Asian region. Given that none of the five republics have condemned Russia’s aggression against Ukraine to this day and have actively assisted the Putin regime in circumventing international sanctions, European investments in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan can be seen as indirectly supporting the Putin regime.
At the upcoming meeting of Central Asian presidents with the leadership of Germany, the political opposition movement “Erkin O’zbekiston” strongly recommends that Federal President of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz address the following fundamental issues:
– The presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan must immediately cease aiding the Putin regime in circumventing international sanctions.
– The presidents of Kazakhstan – Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kyrgyzstan – Sadyr Japarov, Tajikistan – Emomali Rahmon, Turkmenistan – Serdar Berdymukhamedov, and Uzbekistan – Shavkat Mirziyayev should publicly condemn Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine and prohibit Kremlin propaganda in their countries.
– Action must be taken on tangible improvements in the freedom of speech, freedom of the media, journalist safety, and human rights in Central Asian countries, including an end to persecution based on political, religious, or other criteria.
– They must allow the admission of opposition parties and movements in exile to participate in parliamentary and presidential elections in their respective countries.
Otherwise, German investments in the Central Asian region will contribute to the strengthening of the Putin regime and the realization of its project to revive the USSR.
Erkin O’zbekiston
President Joe Biden U.S. Department of State Bundespräsident Bundesregierung Olaf Scholz MFA of Ukraine Шавкат Mirziyoyev Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Uzbekistan Aqorda Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Kazakhstan Администрация Президента КР Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic Хадамоти матбуоти Президенти Тоҷикистон Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Tajikistan
Source: https://www.facebook.com/ErkinOzbekiston
A bike ride of good neighborliness and friendship Turkey – Bulgaria: 500 km in 5 days and 4 nights
Between September 22 and 26, 2023, Mr. Sebahattin Bilginç – Regional Coordinator of Yeshilai for “Marmara” region in European Turkey /for the cities Edirne; Tekirdag: Kirklareli; Çanakkale and Balkesir/, together with the members of the Sports Club of Yesilai – Edirne (Cemal Seçkin, Zekeriya Bayrak, Mehmet Fatih Bayrak, Çağrı Sinop), held a bike ride of good neighborliness and friendship to Bulgaria, covering 500 km in 5 days and 4 nights. In the city of Plovdiv, they were welcomed by the chairman of Yeshilai – Bulgaria, Mr. Ahmed Pehlivan and members of the Bulgarian branch of the International Federation of Green Crescent.
Before heading back home, the athletes were received by the Consul General of the Republic of Turkey in the city of Plovdiv, Mr. Korhan Kyungeryu.
The Green Crescent has speeded up its international organization works in the last years and has started the foundation works for national Green Crescent in many countries. Each constituted Green Crescent, becomes a member of the International Federation of Green Crescent, established by the Turkish Green Crescent in October 2016.
The aim of this federation is to gather each Green Crescent that has been established in other countries, under a new umbrella organization based in Istanbul.
Turkish Green Crescent Society was founded by patriotic people and intellectuals (Dist. Prof. Mazhar Osman and his friends) from a diverse set of backgrounds in 1920, response to the British attempts to distribute booze and drugs free of charge in Istanbul in an effort to undermine the resistance against the occupation. The founders sensed the upcoming dangers of alcohol and drug addiction that resulted decline in the resistance against the occupation. The patriotic intellectuals established the “Green Crescent”, “Hilal-i Ahdar” in Istanbul in order to warn Turkish society. The official name of the association is “Türkiye Yeşilay Cemiyeti”, “Turkish Green Crescent Society”.
The Green Crescent is a non-profit and non-governmental organization that empowers youth and adults with factual information about drugs so they can make informed decisions against different kind of addictions including alcohol, tobacco, drug, gambling etc. The Green Crescent was established in 1920 and given the status of Public-Beneficial Society (public beneficial society status is given to the organizations that serve for public benefits) by the Turkish government in 1934.
Core Values of the organisation:
Fight Against Addiction for the Human Dignity
The Green Crescent aims to protect public health against the risk of addiction and to ensure that human dignity is respected. In all of its activities, the Green Crescent promotes mutual understanding, brotherliness, amity, cooperation and sustainable peace among people. The Green Crescent tries to prevent and ease addiction-induced suffering, wherever they may strike, using all of the assets of its national and international capacity.
Non-Discrimination
While providing services, the Green Crescent does not discriminate against people based on their nationality, race, religious belief, class or political ideology. It focuses on easing addiction-based suffering, using the most effective measures in its capacity and giving priority to the most urgent and essential needs.
Independence
The Green Crescent is an independent non-governmental organization. Assisting public authorities in humanitarian activities, the Green Crescent is subject to international agreements that have been duly put into effect by the Republic of Turkey, and to the laws of Republic of Turkey, and within this scope, the Society retains the authority to enter into relevant international agreements and to act accordingly.
Being a Charitable Foundation
The Green crescent is a volunteer-based charitable foundation that does not seek personal or corporate benefits.
Being a Public Health Entity
The Green Crescent is a volunteer-based non-governmental organization that makes use of its corporate capacity to come up with preventive programs to fight against all kinds of addictions and processes, especially those related to tobacco, alcohol and substances, and that tries to make effective use of the currently available therapies and treatment services to tackle addictions that have already taken hold.
Being Scientific
The Green Crescent adopts an evidence-based research, analysis and intervention approach in its efforts to protect people from and prevent addictions, and to reinforce and/or modify behaviors while fighting against addictions in therapy and treatment phases.
Being Global
Having equal status with the national associations of other countries engaged in the fight against addiction, and sharing responsibilities and tasks equally during mutual assistance studies, the Green Crescent’s intention is to create a global organization to fight against addictions on a global scale, to work as part of this organization in order to observe the issues on a global scale, to work globally, to function according to global standards, and to be effective and reputable.
Being Social
According to the Green Crescent, being organized to raise public health awareness at all levels and in all settlements in the societies in which it serves, i.e. from the base to the representatives, and from the individuals to public institutions, and carrying out participatory studies at a public level are a requirement for sustainable success.
Website: www.ifgc.org
UNHCR increasingly concerned for refugees fleeing Karabakh region
Some 19,000 refugees have reportedly left the Karabakh Economic Region of the Republic of Azerbaijan, including many elderly people, women and children.
UNHCR Spokesperson Shabia Mantoo called on all sides to protect civilians and to fully respect international humanitarian refugee law allowing them safe passage.
All parties must “refrain from actions that would cause displacement of civilians and ensure their safety, security and human rights and nobody should be forced to flee their homes”, said Ms. Mantoo, speaking during a scheduled UN agency briefing in Geneva.
Guterres ‘very concerned’ over displacement
In the regular noon briefing for reporters in New York, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, said the UN chief António Guterres was “very concerned” about the displacement.
“It’s essential that the rights of the displaced populations be protected and that they receive the humanitarian support they are owed,” said the Spokesperson.
He underlined that at this point, the UN was “not involved in the humanitarian situation” within the region, but the UN aid coordination office (OCHA) is on the ground in Armenia.
Conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the region has persisted for more than three decades, but a ceasefire and subsequent Trilateral Statement was agreed almost three years ago following six weeks of fighting, by the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia, leading to the deployment of several thousand Russian peacekeepers.
Amid last week’s flare-up in fighting and the arrival of the first refugees in Armenia, the UN chief called for fully-fledged access for aid workers to people in need.
De-escalation call
Mr. Guterres also called for de-escalation “in the strongest terms” and “stricter” observance of the 2020 ceasefire, and principles of international humanitarian law.
Echoing that appeal, UNHCR’s Ms. Mantoo explained on Tuesday that amid the “complex and multicultural” situation, access to asylum must be maintained for people in need of international protection “to ensure that people are treated humanely, that their rights are protected and respected, and that they can access the protection and safety that they need”.
Support is also needed for countries at the front lines that are receiving people in need of protection, Ms. Mantoo said.
The UNHCR official also called for “alternatives for a legal stay”, and an “expansion of regular and safe pathways so people don’t have to risk their lives and that we don’t see these types of backlogs and pressures”.
International solidarity call
She reiterated that the regional response requires international solidarity and a concerted effort by all States and stakeholders.
Regarding UNHCR’s teams on the ground in Armenia, Ms. Mantoo explained that they were monitoring the situation closely.
People were “suffering the effects of trauma and exhaustion and need urgent psychosocial support” Ms. Mantoo said, adding that the government of Armenia was leading the response and was expected to appeal to the international community for further support.
For its part, the UN agency has also provided assistance, including non-food items, portable beds, mattresses and bedding. “There is also a need for shelter, warm clothing and other essential non-food items. And we’re mobilizing further assistance and coordinating with local government and partners to respond to the increasing needs,” she added.
In a statement released late on Tuesday, the UN human rights chief Volker Türk added his concern over the evolving situation.
“Any reported violations of human rights or international humanitarian law require follow-up, including prompt, independent and transparent investigations to ensure accountability and redress for the victims”, he said.
He reminded that all countries must not deny ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities “the right to enjoy their own culture, to profess and practice their own religion, or to use their own language.”
