At least 126 people were killed and 188 injured in a magnitude 7.1 earthquake in the remote Dinli province near Mount Everest, according to media reports. The tremor was reportedly felt in parts of Nepal, Bhutan and northern India.
U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the secretary-general wished the injured a speedy recovery and expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims.
The United Nations is closely monitoring the situation and stands ready to provide assistance if requested.
UN human rights office urges restraint amid reports of Alawite killings in Syria
The United Nations human rights office, OHCHR, has called for restraint in Syria following reports that some members of Syria’s Alawite community and other minority groups have been targeted and killed.
Speaking in Geneva, OHCHR spokeswoman Liz Trossel said the office was aware of reports and videos of Alawite men allegedly being killed in Homs and other cities in Syria since the overthrow of the Assad regime. said. Branches of Shia Islam:
“We are aware of the reports, and obviously our colleagues are working to corroborate them. We are aware that authorities have issued a statement urging everyone to avoid retaliation,” Throssell said. added.
international legal obligations
“I think what’s really important is that all parties comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law, and that includes respecting and protecting minorities.”
In response to questions from reporters, Throssell said a small UN human rights office team had been dispatched to Damascus and was conducting “initial contacts with transitional authorities” led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham leader Ahmed al-Shara. ” was established.
His forces were primarily responsible for the lightning attack that toppled former President Assad on December 8.
Asked to respond to unconfirmed reports that women were being assaulted for talking or walking in the street with men who were not related to them, Throssell said: “Administrative authorities must take action to ensure safety is restored.” “It’s important that we have to do it,” he said. .
She said: “It is important that those accused of committing crimes are held accountable and that women, children and diverse ethnic and religious communities are able to fully exercise their rights.”
Iran attracts international attention due to rapid increase in executions: OHCHR
The number of people executed in Iran last year was “shockingly high”, the UN human rights office OHCHR said on Tuesday.
At least 901 people were reportedly executed there in 2024, including 40 in one week in December alone. In 2023, more than 853 people were executed.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, condemned the death penalty and called for a halt to it, saying he was deeply concerned by the marked increase in executions.
“Unacceptable risk”
“We oppose the death penalty in all circumstances…The death penalty is inconsistent with the fundamental right to life and poses an unacceptable risk of executing innocent people,” he added.
Most of last year’s executions were for drug-related crimes, but also people involved in dissidents and the 2022 protests after Mahsa Amini’s death in police custody were also put to death.
The United Nations Human Rights Office said at least 31 women were reportedly executed in 2024. The majority of these cases involved murder, and a significant number of the women sentenced to death were victims of domestic violence, child marriage, or forced marriage, and “many… He was convicted of a crime,” OHCHR said.
Iranian authorities do not provide data on the death penalty, but the United Nations Rights Office cited reliable sources indicating that Iran executed at least 972 people in 2015, the highest number in decades. It’s a number.
© Unsplash/Mahyal Motebasem
Aerial view of Tehran, the capital of Iran.
Central African Republic: “Historic law” protects rights defenders
The recent adoption of a law to strengthen the protection of human rights defenders in the Central African Republic (CAR) has been welcomed by independent experts on the human rights situation in the country.
“This historic law marks an important step in the recognition and protection of organizations and individuals who dedicate their lives to the defense of fundamental rights and the preservation of their territories,” Yao Agbetse said in a statement on Tuesday. said.
The law was adopted by the National Assembly on December 27 and is considered to mark an important development in the democratic evolution of the Central African Republic and advance the promotion, protection and implementation of human rights in the country.
“A step in the right direction”
Agbetse stressed that the bill is a “step in the right direction,” adding that it protects freedom of expression, association, assembly, and peaceful demonstration, and protects civil space.
“The contribution of civil society organizations to the country’s development and peace process is also recognized,” the expert said.
The law provides for stronger protections for human rights defenders, including safety mechanisms, legal support, and guarantees against retaliation.
These provisions are key to enabling defenders to continue their vital work without fear of persecution or violence, the independent expert explained.
Mr. Agbetse said the law is a victory for all those who fight for justice and equality and are committed to a dynamic and participatory democracy.
The Special Rapporteur is not a United Nations employee, receives no salary, and functions in his or her personal capacity, independent of the United Nations Secretariat or other organizations.
UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferret
Yao Agbetse, Independent Expert from the Central African Republic.
2024 Financing Report: Critical Gaps in Food Crisis Financing Revealed
The 2024 Financial Flows and Food Crisis Report of the Global Network on Food Crisis, which includes the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), finds that there is an alarming disconnect between financial flows and the deepening of global hunger. is made clear.
In 2023, 281 million people experienced severe food insecurity, but humanitarian assistance to the food sector decreased by 30 percent compared to 2022. That’s despite long-term trends in aid, which have shown an increase of 56 percent since 2016.
This funding gap is even more pronounced in the ongoing crisis, where humanitarian aid continues to outpace development investment.
Neglected food needs
While 33% of global humanitarian funding is targeted towards the food sector, only 3% of development aid is allocated to food-related needs.
Regions such as East Africa bore the brunt of the funding cuts, with spending falling by nearly $1.4 billion in 2023. The Middle East and North Africa region also suffered from acute funding shortfalls, with funding falling $1 billion below the historical average.
The report highlights the need for integrated interventions that address both immediate hunger and underlying weaknesses. Investments in agriculture that support sustainable livelihoods and resilience were highlighted as key.
Since 2016, agriculture has absorbed more than 50 percent of development finance, but structural disparities persist, particularly in addressing rural development and forestry. Strengthening data systems and improving donor coordination are highlighted as critical to closing these financing gaps in the future.
