Gaza: UNICEF mourns seven children killed queuing for water
The head of UN child rights agency, UNICEF, called on Monday for Israel to review its rules of engagement in Gaza after seven children were killed while waiting for water at a distribution point.
Sunday’s airstrike by Israel came just days after several children and women were killed waiting for nutritional supplies.
The agency urged Israeli authorities to fully comply with international humanitarian law, particularly the protection of children and civilians.
UNICEF called for an immediate and lasting ceasefire, aid to be provided at scale and the release of all hostages.
Also on Monday, the head of the UN Palestinian refugee agency, Philippe Lazzarini, highlighted ongoing violence in the locked-down West Bank.
“Additional restrictions on the movement of people and goods are intensifying the impact of brutal military operations by the Israeli Security Forces and rampant violence by Israeli settlers,” he said.
Syria: Senior UN envoy speaks out against rising intercommunal violence
Moving to Syria, according to reports, clashes on Sunday between Sunni Bedouin tribal fighters and Druze militia left at least 30 dead in Syria’s predominantly-Druze city of Sweida.
The violence erupted two days after a Druze merchant was reportedly abducted on the highway to Damascus.
This was the latest episode of sectarian bloodshed in Syria, where fears among minority groups have surged since Islamist rebels toppled President Bashar al-Assad in December and installed a new caretaker Government.
This includes the Druze sect, an offshoot of Shia Islam.
On Monday, UN Deputy Special Envoy for Syria, Najat Rochdi, expressed “deep concern” over these reports and urged authorities and stakeholders to “take immediate steps to protect civilians, restore calm and prevent incitement.”
She also underscored the need for inclusion, trust-building and meaningful dialogue to advance a credible and inclusive political transition in Syria.
UN human rights chief speaks at high-level forum on indigenous rights
And finally, the UN human rights chief spoke at a high-level forum on the rights of Indigenous Peoples on Monday.
Underscoring the importance of advancing the rights of Indigenous Peoples, Volker Türk highlighted developments in Colombia, Finland and Guatemala that have led to greater self-determination.
But despite these advances, violations of Indigenous Peoples’ rights continue.
Many still lack formal land recognition, while mining activity, deforestation and large-scale agricultural development often cause serious environmental destruction.
Indigenous Peoples also experience immense discrimination and face the brunt of climate chaos, Mr. Türk stressed.
Furthermore, data from the human rights office reveals that 26 per cent of rights activists killed in 2023 and 2024 were Indigenous, largely in the Americas.
Additionally, States are using AI in ways that harm Indigenous Peoples through surveillance, data exploitation and exclusion from decision-making, the UN rights chief warned.
Anna O’Donnell, UN News.
Music composed and produced by Joachim Harris. All rights reserved.
Source of original article: United Nations (news.un.org). Photo credit: UN. The content of this article does not necessarily reflect the views or opinion of Global Diaspora News (www.globaldiasporanews.com).
To submit your press release: (https://www.globaldiasporanews.com/pr).
To advertise on Global Diaspora News: (www.globaldiasporanews.com/ads).
Sign up to Global Diaspora News newsletter (https://www.globaldiasporanews.com/newsletter/) to start receiving updates and opportunities directly in your email inbox for free.
