UN News Today 16 September 2026 |

Reprisals scourge against rights activists working with UN

Activists, lawyers and other people who cooperate with the UN on human rights continue to face intimidation and reprisals, according to a new report from the Secretary-General.

In a call for greater protection for these individuals and accountability, the UN chief’s report highlights how victims suffer repression by State or non-State actors, including outside their own countries, with digital surveillance increasingly used.

“Speaking up for human rights should never come at the expense of one’s own personal safety and security,” said Assistant Secretary-General Claudia Fuentes Julio, who leads the UN system’s efforts to address reprisals.  

She added that “shrinking civic space and increased surveillance online and offline” are also fuelling a hostile climate that hinders civil society cooperation.

Cases are highlighted from 32 countries in which journalists, lawyers, trade unionists and others were targeted between 1 May 2025 and 30 April this year.

The report cautions that the cases represent only part of the problem, as many people do not report violations for fear of further harm, while others request anonymity.

Stop attacking merchant ships and seafarers, says UN maritime agency chief

Amid a rising number of attacks on shipping in key waterways in the Middle East linked to the US-Iran war, the head of UN maritime agency, Mr. Arsenio Dominguez, has insisted that the conflict is not a “pretext” to target “innocent seafarers”.

Since the current conflict in the Middle East began on 28 February, the International Maritime Organization, IMO, has verified 80 attacks on international shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz. 

This has resulted in the deaths of at least 22 seafarers and injuries to many others.  

In the Black Sea and Sea of Azov, dozens of fatalities have reportedly resulted from attacks on international shipping in recent months, although precise numbers are difficult to verify.  

Attacks in the Red Sea have also resumed, with four fatalities confirmed in the latest attack by the Houthis on a merchant vessel on 11 August, the UN agency said.  

Here’s Roel Hoenders, Chief of Staff at IMO:

“Apart from putting seafarers’ lives at risk, attacks on merchant shipping are having a severe impact on global supply chains and people everywhere around the world. – And let’s not forget that 22 crew have already been killed since the conflict in the Middle East began on 28 February.”

Mr. Dominguez stressed that in the Strait of Hormuz, the Black Sea and Sea of Azov, “it is not only one country attacking merchant vessels”.

Gaza: At least 16 killed in deadly building collapse, search for survivors continues

Search and rescue operations continued in Gaza City on Wednesday following the collapse of a bombed-out building which led to the deaths of at least 16 people, according to reports.

The incident has highlighted the precarious situation for displaced Palestinians across the Gaza Strip, many being forced to shelter in structures damaged during the war between Israel and Hamas fighters.

UN aid coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Ramiz Alakbarov, said that roughly 100 people, including 50 children, were living in the building when it collapsed.

He commended the humanitarian community which quickly mobilized to support the emergency response and reach those still trapped under the rubble.

Although stocks of relief supplies are limited, “we will support survivors with health, shelter and other critical items and services”, he said.

So far, Egypt has provided heavy machinery for the rescue effort, while the United Arab Emirates and Qatar are set to deliver relief items.

AI’s role in ‘denialism’ trend must be stopped, says rights expert 

AI news now, and a call from the Human Rights Council for governments everywhere to counter the growing trend of so-called “denialism” politics, which often features the non-acceptance of genocide and other crimes against humanity.

Speaking at the Council in Geneva, independent human rights expert, Bernard Duhaime, noted a recent wave of denialist statements by government officials, politicians and other actors worldwide.

Countries must actively counter any efforts to glorify those responsible for crimes against humanity, particularly considering the rise of social media and AI systems which amplify denialism, Mr. Duhaime insisted:

“We live at a dangerous time where ideologues and warmongers seek to fuel polarization, hatred and chaos for their own political gains. It is high time to remind them of our collective commitment to human rights, accountability, and the rule of law.”

Mr. Duhaime, who works in an independent capacity, is tasked by the Human Rights Council to promote truth, justice, reparations and non-recurrence of crimes.

Delivering his report to the Council’s 47 Member States, he called on all countries to be vigilant about “politicians and corporate actors who seek to weaponize freedom of expression” and “manipulate history for political or other ideological ends”, while also inciting violence and silencing dissenting voices.

“Denialism” is increasingly used to undermine justice for vulnerable populations by spreading divisive narratives, Mr. Duhaime said, explaining that the trend risks eroding democratic institutions and accountability by replacing the truth with “emotionally-charged narratives”.

And although government oversight is key to combating supporters of denialism, the independent rights expert warned that “in too many cases” national legislation has become “tools of restriction and denial”.

“Combating denialism must never serve as a pretext for censorship or repression,” Mr. Duhaime told the Council.  

Daniel Johnson, UN News