The coach of “Paris Saint-Germain” and his son arrested

They are accused of discrimination

The coach of “Paris Saint-Germain” Christophe Galtier and his son John Valovik were detained by the French police.

The reason for the arrest are accusations of discrimination during the coach’s stay at the head of “Nice” in the period 2021-2022. It is about suspicions that Galtier asked his bosses at the club to sell or release black footballers who profess Islam. The mentor then began receiving death threats and his family had to be under police protection.

The two testified yesterday morning over suspicions of “discrimination on racial or religious grounds.” Galtier, 56, could face up to 3 years in prison if the allegations of racist remarks are confirmed.

45 thousand invalids in Ukraine after the first ten months of war

By

Newsdesk

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1 July 2023

The Confederation of Employers of Ukraine on Friday published data that may indirectly indicate the number of wounded in the Ukrainian army: according to a press release of the Confederation, the number of people who received disabilities in the first ten months of the war jumped by three and a half times compared to with peacetime and amounted to 45 thousand people, the Russian Service of the BBC cited the data.

“In the pre-war year, 13,000 people received disabilities. In the first 10 months of the war in 2022, according to official and not very adequate statistics, more than 45,000 Ukrainians received disabilities,” Ukrainian agencies quoted Valery Sushkevich, head of the Ukrainian National assembly of disabled people. His words are shared in a press release of the Confederation of Employers.

Sushkiewicz explains that the statistics “are not very adequate” because it is difficult to document the damage during the war and many of the wounded have not yet done so.

How many of these 45,000 are wounded soldiers, how many are wounded civilians, and how many are disabled with non-war-related disabilities is unknown.

Nearly 16,000 Ukrainian civilians have been injured since the war began, nearly 3,000 of them in Russian-controlled territory, according to the United Nations.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, 478 children have died as a result of hostilities and related events, the General Prosecutor’s Office of Ukraine said, as quoted by the BBC’s Russian Service in early May.

Ukrainian prosecutors estimate that 960 children have been injured since the war began.

“These data are not final. Work continues to establish the facts in the places of hostilities, in the temporarily occupied and liberated territories,” the announcement of the General Prosecutor’s Office says.

According to a report by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, from February 24, 2022 to April 23, 2023, 8,574 civilians were killed in Ukraine. 6611 people died in the territories controlled by the legitimate authorities of Ukraine and 1913 – in the territories occupied by Russia.

How the EU is Addressing Fundamental Rights Challenges in 2023. Targeted Support for Refugees, Tackling Child Poverty and Hate, and Protecting Digital Rights

By

Robert Johnson

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30 June 2023

fra-2023-fundamental-rights-report-2023_en_0 Download

a woman sitting on the side of a road next to a luggage bag

The Fundamental Rights Report by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) for 2023 provides a comprehensive analysis of the developments and shortcomings in human rights protection across the EU in 2022.

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Implications of Aggression against Ukraine on Fundamental Rights

The report delves into the fundamental rights implications of the Ukraine conflict for the EU, highlighting the challenges that emerged. Notably, the EU’s Temporary Protection Directive played a vital role in granting access to work, housing, social assistance, education, and healthcare to those affected. However, the majority of arrivals were women and girls who often had caregiving responsibilities for children or older family members. Addressing these needs, the report emphasizes the importance of targeted support, including affordable and safe housing for women and children, suitable job opportunities to prevent exploitation, integration of children into mainstream education, and comprehensive support for women affected by sexual violence and exploitation.

Statement by FRA Director Michael O’Flaherty

FRA Director Michael O’Flaherty stresses that women and girls are innocent victims of Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and commends EU countries for providing temporary protection and support. However, he emphasizes the need for long-term solutions that pay particular attention to women, given the ongoing conflict.

Key Fundamental Rights Issues in 2022

Rising Child Poverty: The report highlights the impact of the pandemic and increasing energy costs, which pushed nearly one in four children into poverty. It calls for the implementation of actions outlined in the European Child Guarantee and urges the allocation of funds to alleviate child poverty, especially among vulnerable households, including single-parent, Roma, and migrant families.
Widespread Hate: Hate crime and hate speech, particularly online, remained concerning in 2022, partially influenced by the Ukraine conflict. The report emphasizes the importance of national anti-racism action plans, with more countries urged to develop concrete measures at local and regional levels to combat racism effectively.
Safeguarding Rights in a Technologically Advancing World: The report addresses the growing concern of protecting fundamental rights as artificial intelligence and digital services expand. It recognizes the EU Digital Services Act as a milestone for strong rights protection and calls for its effective implementation. Additionally, the report emphasizes the need for robust safeguards within the proposed EU’s AI Act.

Proposals for Action and Topics Covered

The report provides actionable proposals and covers various fundamental rights topics, including the utilization of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights by Member States, equality and non-discrimination, combating racism and related intolerance, Roma inclusion and equality, asylum, borders, and migration policies, information society, privacy, and data protection, child rights, access to justice, and the implementation of the UN’s Disability Convention (CRPD).

MEP Peter van Dalen’s Farewell to the European Parliament

By

Juan Sanchez Gil

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30 June 2023

Photo credit: THIX for The European Times - MEP Peter Van Dalen at the 10th Anniversary of the European Union Guidelines on Freedom of Religion or Belief

MEP Peter van Dalen (Christian Union) has announced today on his website his departure from the European Parliament, concluding a remarkable tenure spanning over 14 years. Upon the request of the national executive of the Dutch Christian Union, Van Dalen makes way for Anja Haga, the next candidate on the party’s list, to continue their important work.

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Upholding Freedom of Religion or Belief

Throughout his tenure, one of the causes closest to Peter Van Dalen’s heart has been the promotion of religious freedom in Europe and across the globe. He played a pivotal role in co-founding the European Parliament’s Intergroup on Religious Freedom and was instrumental in the establishment of a Special Envoy on Religious Freedom within the European Union. Notably, Van Dalen organized the highly esteemed European Prayer Breakfast, an annual event that attracted dignitaries and visitors from around the world for many years.

Van Dalen underscores the ongoing significance of prioritizing religious freedom, stating:

“More and more Christians worldwide are being persecuted, but at the same time, attention to this growing issue is waning in Europe. This is a very worrying development. Many colleagues do not seem to appreciate the seriousness of this.”

Reflecting on his impactful initiatives, Peter Van Dalen recalls two cases that stand out: the release of Christian Asia Bibi and the Christian couple Shagufta & Shafqat, who were unjustly held on Pakistani death row for several years on charges of blasphemy. From his position in the European Parliament, Van Dalen exerted pressure on the Pakistani government, working closely with Pakistani lawyer Saïf-ul-Malook, to secure their freedom and advocate for the abolition of blasphemy laws. These successes highlight the efficacy of Van Dalen’s unwavering commitment to religious freedom.

Furthermore, Van Dalen has consistently championed the rights of the people of Armenia and the Armenian enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh. The population, predominantly Christian, has long endured oppression from Azerbaijan, an issue that has been largely overlooked by the international community. Van Dalen strongly believes that Europe should provide support to the Armenians in their struggle against belligerent Azeris. Encouragingly, EU foreign chief Borrell recently pledged to take action on this matter, signalling progress towards addressing the ongoing challenges faced by these communities.

Photo credit: THIX for The European Times - MEP Peter Van Dalen at the 10th Anniversary of the European Union Guidelines on Freedom of Religion or Belief. — Photo credit: THIX for The European Times – MEP Peter Van Dalen at the 10th Anniversary of the European Union Guidelines on Freedom of Religion or Belief.

Additionally, van Dalen made significant contributions to the development of the European Union Guidelines on Freedom of Religion or Belief. Recognizing the pressing need for a comprehensive framework to safeguard this fundamental human right, Van Dalen played a pivotal role in shaping these guidelines. His expertise and commitment to religious freedom were instrumental in ensuring that the guidelines not only addressed the challenges faced by Christians but also encompassed the broader spectrum of religious communities across Europe.

Peter Van Dalen’s tireless efforts in this regard have left a lasting impact, providing a crucial reference for policymakers and stakeholders working towards the protection and promotion of religious freedom within the European Union, and just the day before announcing his departure, he hosted (together with MEP Carlo Fidanza, Human Rights Without Frontiers, EU Brussels FoRB Roundtable (co-chaired by Eric Roux) and the Netherlands FoRB Roundtable (co-chaired by Hans Noot) a two hours conference within the framework of the 10th anniversary of the guidelines. The conference was well attended by civil society, university students and some MEPs, as well as representatives from different faiths and cosmovisions, from Evangelicals to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Later Day Saints, Scientologists and humanists among others.

Protecting the Fisheries Sector

Van Dalen has also been a staunch advocate for the fisheries sector during his time as an MEP. Serving as the vice-chairman of the fisheries committee in the European Parliament, he has witnessed the hardships faced by fishermen in recent years.

Recalling the struggles encountered, Van Dalen states:

“When I started working to preserve pulse fishing from 2017, the Netherlands was already virtually alone in Europe on this important file. More than some extension for use of that gear was unfortunately not in the cards. Combined with the Brexit, the fall in demand for fish during the corona pandemic and the introduction of the landing obligation, among others, our fishery was unfortunately dealt a heavy blow. Together with several Dutch MEPs, we tried all kinds of things to reverse this development, but failed. I deeply regret that. When I now see how many cutters are being scrapped, it turns my stomach.”

Passing the Torch to MEP Anja Haga

Anja Haga has been designated as Peter van Dalen’s successor. With a background as a former Fryslân state member and Arnhem alderman, Haga brings her expertise in nature and climate issues at the European level to the role. She anticipated that:

“It is important to make the Christian-social sound heard again and again. Religious freedom, creation and looking after our neighbour requires our full attention in the coming years, especially also at the European level.”

Peter Van Dalen’s Background

Peter van Dalen embarked on his political career as a policy officer supporting MEP Leen van der Waal in 1984, while affiliated with the RPF party. Since 2009, he has served as an MEP representing the Christian Union, now in his third term of office. In addition to his steadfast commitment to religious freedom and the fisheries sector, Van Dalen has actively engaged with topics such as the euro and the European Union’s foreign policy. Throughout his tenure, he consistently emphasized the importance of preserving the influence and decision-making power of EU member states.

Peter van Dalen’s departure from the European Parliament marks the end of an era characterized by dedication, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to advocating for religious freedom and the well-being of the fisheries sector. His legacy will undoubtedly inspire future generations of policymakers and activists to champion these causes, ensuring a more just and inclusive society within Europe and beyond.

Time to end gender-based violence, boost role of women in politics, public life

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30 June 2023

Time to end gender-based violence, boost role of women in politics, public life

Speaking to the Council’s annual meeting in Geneva on protecting the rights of women and girls, the UN High Commissioner said it was an urgent task, and there needed to be zero-tolerance of gender-based violence.

He highlighted the alarming reality that female human rights defenders, women journalists, and those in public office and political decision-making positions, routinely come under “vicious” attack.

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Harrowing statistics

“Such acts are deliberate, directed at those seen as challenging traditional notions of family and gender or harmful traditional social norms”, said Mr. Türk.

“Their purpose is clear”, he added, “to exercise control, to perpetuate subordination and to crush the political activism and aspirations of women and girls.”

To illustrate that, Mr. Türk pointed to a recent study conducted by UN Women in 39 countries. It found that 81.8 per cent of women parliamentarians had experienced psychological violence, while 44.4 per cent reported being threatened with death, rape, beatings, and kidnapping.

Additionally, 25.5 per cent had endured some form of physical violence.

Another study, by UNESCO, estimates that 73 per cent of women journalists have faced online violence, including through the spread of fake news, doctored images, and direct verbal threats and attacks.

Zero tolerance

Confronting the deep-seated structural discrimination requires comprehensive and systemic change. High Commissioner Türk called for the strengthening of national legal frameworks to ensure gender equality and protect women from violence, both online and offline.

“We must adopt codes of conduct with zero tolerance for gender-based violence and establish effective reporting mechanisms for those who experience it,” the High Commissioner said.

Concrete measures, both temporary and permanent, are urgently required. Mr. Türk underscored the need for quotas for women in public and political life. He believes that women should be given more of a chance to get elected to serve on public bodies. For that, awareness-raising campaigns and other forms of assistance to women who want to dedicate their time to politics are needed.

Supporting this point, Reem Alsalem, Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, who also addressed the Council on Friday said: “We must stem the tide of violence against women and girls in the private, public and political spheres of life and we must do so now.”

Challenge archaic notions

Increasing participation needs to start with changing habitual behaviour said the UN rights office (OHCHR) chief.

“We must also challenge archaic notions that confine domestic and care work to women and girls only,” he urged, adding that economic incentives, social protection measures and gender equality campaigns can be driving forces to promote greater equality overall.

Mr. Türk said improving education was an essential precondition for women’s equality participation in public affairs. He stressed the importance of boosting involvement in traditionally male-dominated fields such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Education systems and curricula should include women as role models and highlight their contributions throughout history to address the lack of visibility and recognition.

“Women make up half of humanity. Gender equality is not a matter of isolated gains for women alone, it is a collective pursuit that benefits entire societies,” said Mr. Türk, calling upon Member States and the Council “to pledge to take concrete and transformative action to tackle gender-based violence against women and girls in public and political life, and to promote their participation and leadership.”

UN rights office calls on France to address ‘deep issues’ of racism in policing

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30 June 2023

UN rights office calls on France to address ‘deep issues’ of racism in policing

In a statement released in Geneva on Friday, OHCHR Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani expressed concern over the death of 17-year-old Nahel M on Tuesday, after he was shot dead driving away from a traffic stop in the Parisian suburb of Nanterre.

According to news reports, at least 875 people were arrested in major cities around the country on Thursday night, after around 40,000 police officers were deployed to quell protests and rioting over the killing.

President Emmanuel Macron has urged parents to keep their children off the streets, while in Paris, shots have been ransacked and cars set alight, despite the heavy police presence.

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Voluntary homicide charge

The officer who shot the youth has reportedly apologized to the family and has been officially charged with voluntary homicide.

Ms. Shamdasani noted that an investigation has been launched into the alleged voluntary homicide.

“This is a moment for the country to seriously address the deep issues of racism and discrimination in law enforcement”, she said.

Proportional use of force

“We also emphasize the importance of peaceful assembly. We call on the authorities to ensure use of force by police to address violent elements in demonstrations always respects the principles of legality, necessity, proportionality, non-discrimination, precaution and accountability.

She called for any allegations of disproportionate use of force by people exercising their rights to protest, to be swiftly investigated.

According to latest figures released by France’s police regulator, there were 37 deaths during police operations recorded in 2021, of whom ten were shot dead.

Britain‘s first zero-waste theater has opened its doors in London

By

Gaston de Persigny

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30 June 2023

Surrounded by the glass and steel towers of London’s financial district, a low-rise construction made of re-used materials has sprung up to make the point we have collective power to tackle climate change.

The Greenhouse Theatre, billed as Britain’s first zero waste theatre, is staging plays in London over the summer months when long, light evenings reduce the need for electricity.

It is made entirely from recycled materials, reported Reuters.

A small theater made from recycled materials has been announced as Britain’s first zero-waste theatre. The aim is to show that we have the collective power to tackle climate change.

Its building is surrounded by the glass and steel towers of London’s Financial District.

According to the theatre’s 26-year-old artistic director Ollie Savage, it is the only zero-waste theater in the UK.

“We’re using the power of performance and storytelling to spark climate action among all the people who want to get involved,” Savage said.

The theater puts on plays in London during the summer months when the evenings are long and there is no need for lighting. The small portable structure is built from used lumber.

“Everything we use had a life before us. And once we’re done with it, we work very hard to make sure it continues to be used,” said Ollie Savage.

According to the artistic director, his target audience between the ages of 16 and 35 is very concerned about the environment. But young people are pessimistic that they can do anything about it. He wants to show them that sustainable development can be easier and more fun than they think.

“Our goal is to help people feel more connected to nature and each other,” said Ollie Savage.

Laura Kent is one of four actresses in the play. As soon as she finds out about the existence of the theater, she expresses her desire to join it.

“I try to lead a relatively natural lifestyle. But I realized it’s not that easy, especially with a limited budget. It’s really hard for new theater producers. That’s why I was so excited when I saw that this theater existed. I wanted to learn the ways they manage and it’s very encouraging because it means anyone can do it,” explained Kent.

The audience is in a circle, seated on wooden benches, while the cast performs the play using few props and no microphones.

“I think it’s a really innovative idea. You get the feeling that everything is handmade and that adds magic to the place,” said onlooker Stephen Greaney.

The small theater space will host a further 15 shows during the London summer season.

Solidarity with Ukraine must remain at the top of our agenda | News

By

Newsdesk

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29 June 2023

Solidarity with Ukraine must remain at the top of our agenda | News

The events in Russia have raised a number of questions relating to its internal dynamics and the fragility of their systems as well as its effects on the invasion of Ukraine and on European security as a whole.

Solidarity with Ukraine must remain at the top of our agenda. It is as existential to Ukraine as it is to Europe. We need to hold steady – even if in the coming months things get harder for Ukraine.

In this respect, I welcome the 11th package of sanctions and the additional €50 billion in support for Ukraine’s repair, recovery and reconstruction announced last week.

Stepping up will require that we deliver on the promises we have made on opening EU membership negotiations. Ukraine’s commitment and substantial efforts on its path for reform, including on meeting the requirements for its EU candidate status, have been extraordinary.

We must be ready to take membership negotiations to the next stage when the reform criteria have been sufficiently met – and I hope it will happen sooner rather than later.

Strengthening our defence-related industrial base, improving innovation, reducing our dependencies, becoming more autonomous and building trust must be central to our new security and defence policy. The political agreement we reached this week on the joint procurement in defence will help Member States restock their defence needs and become more interoperable. It will also help Ukrainians, who count on our delivery of weapons and ammunition.

The progress on our negotiations on the Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP) is also encouraging and I remain convinced that, after the Parliament adopted its position a month ago, we will reach a political agreement in the coming weeks.

Together we are matching demand with supply. We are matching rhetoric with action. We are delivering.

And now we need to deliver on a new security and defence architecture where we ensure that the EU and NATO are able to complement each other, without creating duplications or giving the impression of competition.

We also have to deliver on migration. It is urgent. Last week the cemetery of the Mediterranean claimed the lives of another 300 people, many of whom will never be identified. That’s another 300 dreams shattered. Another 300 families forever broken.

We have made important progress. The European Parliament stands ready to work – constructively – to find a way forward by the end of this legislature that respects borders, that is fair with those in need of protection, firm with those who are not eligible, and that breaks the business model of traffickers preying on the vulnerable. It must be our laws and legal framework that create the rules, not trafficking networks. The longer we wait, the stronger the networks become and the more lives will be lost. Frontex plays an important and crucial role here.

We also cannot ignore the external dimension of this issue. We have a role that allows us to invest and cooperate more with countries in Africa. However, we cannot make the age-old mistake of talking to Africa only when it comes to migration. We need to engage strategically on investments, on joint projects and in a spirit of partnership. We must talk with, not talk to, and understand that if we withdraw then countries in Africa will simply seek other partners.

We have to re-evaluate the way we interact around the globe. Re-balancing our political and economic relations with key partners across the world. With Latin American democracies on critical raw materials and trade deals that are crucial in advancing our digital and green transition.

We also need to engage more with countries like India.

The European Union is India’s third largest trading partner and second largest export destination. We share many priorities, including the fight against climate change, technology and security. There are so many opportunities that are untapped.

Europe has been the most influential global actor in advancing the international agenda on decarbonisation, energy diversification and the fight against climate change. This is important. But we need to be become better at cushioning the economic and social impact of all these decisions. We have to better explain how we are doing this and why it matters.

People must have confidence in the process and they must be able to afford it. We need to listen more and listen harder to our citizens, to our businesses, to our young people. We have to have the foresight to know how to keep people with us.

Inflation remains persistent. Households are faced with a real-wage decline. The European Central Bank is helping to tackle this through increasing interest rates. But that too has a social impact that we would be wrong to ignore.

That is why, if we want to be serious about implementing our priorities and remaining credible, we need an EU budget that is fit for purpose.

It is time to put in place new own resources. As we re-pay NextGenerationEU debt, new sources of revenue must be made available. It cannot come at the expense of long-standing Union policies and programmes.

Tied to this is the need to adapt our long-term EU budget to reflect our current reality. There can be no doubt that, since the adoption of the current Multiannual Financial Framework in 2020, the world has changed and we must change with it. We have been calling for a revision of the MFF for years and the Parliament stands ready to play its part. This – incidentally – is also critical for infrastructure projects that can help in defence and security terms – like railways that also double as critical military mobility lines. Some of these decisions require unanimity and we will all have a role to play.

It is about future proofing our economies. And how we return this project of ours stronger than we found it.

The coming months need to be about delivery. The process for us to agree on an election period already proved difficult. The default date is based on a 1979 reality when the Union only had nine Member States. We need a collective rethink on how the date is identified. We are now discussing the composition of Parliament – you have our proposal on the electoral law, but coming to a position in Council is proving too difficult. The one thing we know about our project is that if we standstill, we will stagnate.

We have a proposal for a convention building on our extensive Conference on the Future of Europe. We need to be ready for enlargement so while Moldova, Ukraine and others in the Western Balkans are reforming and getting ready – we need to do the same.

It is time for a collective shift in thinking. Many have already positioned themselves in this geopolitical change. We must be ready to do the same.

Thank you.

Child health: More focus needed on earliest years, urges WHO

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29 June 2023

Child health: More focus needed on earliest years, urges WHO

The report from the World Health Organization (WHO) and Children’s Fund UNICEF find that the first years of a child’s life provide “irreplicable opportunities to improve lifelong health, nutrition and well-being” according to a press release.

It tracks progress against the global Nurturing care framework, which provides guidance on supporting the healthy physical, intellectual, and emotional development of young children.

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Protecting development

This framework promotes an integrated approach to early childhood development, covering nutrition, health, safety and security, early learning, and responsive caregiving as essential areas for interventions.

“Early childhood development provides a critical window to improve health and well-being across life with impacts that resonate even into the next generation,” said Dr. Anshu Banerjee, Director of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing at WHO.

“While this report shows encouraging progress, greater investment is needed in these foundational early years so that children everywhere have the best possible start for a healthy life ahead.”

A child’s early experiences have a profound impact on their overall health and development.

They affect health, growth, learning, behaviour and, ultimately, adult social relationships, well-being, and earnings. The period from pregnancy to the age of three is when the brain develops fastest, with over 80 per cent of neural development happening during this time, said WHO.

Expanding commitment

According to the report, government efforts overall to boost early childhood development have increased since the framework was launched five years ago.

Close to 50 per cent more countries have developed related policies or plans, and services have expanded.

In a recent rapid survey, more than 80 per cent of responding countries reported training frontline workers to support families in providing early learning activities and responsive caregiving.

Children and caregivers

Increased investments are needed to scale up services and demonstrate impact, especially among vulnerable populations. Ensuring adequate support for children with developmental difficulties and addressing caregiver psychosocial wellbeing are also key, according to the report.

“To improve the health of children, we must not only focus on meeting their immediate physical needs, but also ensure they are able to learn effectively, and develop positive, emotionally rewarding relations with people around them,” said Dr. Bernadette Daelmans, Head of Child Health and Development at WHO.

Cohesive efforts are needed with dedicated financing, across a range of different sectors, the report notes, including health, education, sanitation, and protection services.

Family-friendly policies supporting equitable access to affordable, high-quality childcare are also important.

‘The world is failing the Haitian people’ warns UNICEF chief

By

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29 June 2023

‘The world is failing the Haitian people’ warns UNICEF chief

Briefing correspondents at UN Headquarters in New York just a few days after visiting Haiti along with the head of the World Food Programme (WFP), Catherine Russell said “the current situation of insecurity is unacceptable.

“Women and children are dying. Schools and public spaces should always be safe. Collectively the world is failing the Haitian people.”

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‘Barely functional’

An estimated 5.2 million – close to half the population – need humanitarian support, including three million children.

Institutions and services children rely on “are barely functional” the Executive Director warned, while violent armed groups control more than 60 per cent of the capital Port au Prince, and parts of the country’s most fertile agricultural areas.

“Haitians and our team there tell me it’s never been worse” she said, with unprecedented malnutrition, grinding poverty, a crippled economy, and a continuing cholera outbreak.

All this “while flooding and earthquakes continue to remind us just how vulnerable Haiti is to climate change and natural disasters”, she added.

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell visits a health centre in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

Raped and burnt alive

Ms. Russell recounted some of the shocking testimony she had heard talking to women and girls at a centre for survivors of gender-based violence, which has now reached “staggering levels”.

“An 11-year-old girl told me in the softest of voices that five men had grabbed her off the street. Three of them raped her. She was eight months pregnant when we spoke – and gave birth just a few days later.

“One woman told me that armed men had barged into her house and raped her. She said her 20-year-old sister resisted so strongly that they killed her by setting her on fire. Then they burned down their house.”

The UNICEF chief said she had heard many similar stories, “part of a new strategy” by armed groups.

“They rape girls and women, and they burn their homes to make them more vulnerable and more easily controlled. Because if they break the women, they’ve broken the foundation of the communities.”

Room for hope

She said amid the horror, there had been “some hope” – in the form of extraordinary teachers, health workers, paediatricians, and young people themselves: “A 13-year-old girl, Serafina, told me that she picked doctor as a profession because ‘I love when people take care of other people’.

“These children are what the parents of Haiti are pinning their hopes on. We should all be doing the same.”

The UNICEF chief said she was very proud of the UN humanitarians doing their best on the ground, most of the Haitians. “Many have had to move homes, some multiple times, to find safety from the violence and kidnappings for ransom.”

Act now

She said a bare minimum of $720 million is needed for humanitarian support but less than a quarter of that had been received.

Ms. Russell outlined urgent steps she said need to be taken, including providing immediate extra funding and a better response, a long-term and sustained humanitarian effort, preparedness and resilience-building for natural disasters to come and improved protection for humanitarians.

‘Not irreversible’

Her briefing followed a statement on Wednesday from the recently-appointed independent UN human rights expert on Haiti, William O’Neill who has just concluded a 10 day fact finding mission.

The Human Rights Council-appointed expert who has long experience in the country having helped set up the National Police in 1995, said beyond the gang violence and displacement, land grabs by oligarchs in the northeast had made conditions worse for thousands already living on the edge.

In this context of chronic insecurity, the Haitian authorities face immense challenges. But the situation is not irreversible”, he said.

“Much can be done to address the structural and economic challenges that have led to the current crisis. And this, quickly, and with few means. The State has a fundamental role to play in this regard, as guarantor of the human rights of the population.”

International force needed

Mr. O’Neill said the deployment of a “specialized international force” alongside national police, was “essential to restore the freedom of movement of populations.”

He added that an embargo on arms coming mainly from the United States, established by the UN Security Council, must be immediately implemented.

He said Haiti was at a turning point. “It is urgent to take action. The survival of an entire nation is at stake. The country has the choice to recover, to demonstrate its will to overcome the crisis to move towards a better future or to resign itself and sink further into chaos.

“Ensuring the security and protection of the population, overcoming structural institutional shortcomings, and restoring confidence in public institutions are fundamental prerequisites for holding free and transparent elections and for consolidating the rule of law.”

Special Rapporteurs and independent experts such as Mr. O’Neill, serve in their individual capacity and are independent of any Government or Organization. They are not UN staff and do not receive payment for their work.