Lebanon crisis: UN launches $426 million aid appeal as ‘limited’ ground invasion reportedly begins

From the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, spokesperson Jens Laerke described chaotic scenes across Lebanon as people continued to flee airstrikes that have killed  more than 1,000 people in the past two weeks alone, according to the UN human rights office, OHCHR.  “We should expect further displacement,” Mr. Laerke told journalists in Geneva. “We do […]

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UN agencies urge Security Council to stop ‘mass graves for migrants’

“The scale of this tragedy, its impact on survivors, families and communities and the frequency with which we witness deaths in transit constitute an intolerable and utterly soluble, humanitarian crisis,” said Pär Liljert, director of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Office to the UN, referring to one of the world’s most deadly routes for […]

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Tunisia: Release Former Truth Commission President

(Beirut) – A Tunisian judge has detained a prominent activist and former president of the Truth and Dignity Commission, Sihem Bensedrine, apparently in retaliation for her work on accountability for decades of human rights abuses, Human Rights Watch said today. Tunisian authorities should immediately release her. An investigative judge of a Tunis court ordered Bensedrine detained […]

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Niger: New Terrorism Database Threatens Rights

(Nairobi) – A new Niger government ordinance creating a database of people suspected of terrorism undermines fundamental rights enshrined in national and international law, Human Rights Watch said today. The ordinance sets out overbroad criteria for inclusion in the database, deprives those listed of due process and an adequate redress mechanism, and puts protection of personal […]

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EU releases €10 million in humanitarian aid for people in Lebanon affected by the escalation of hostilities

Today, the European Commission announced €10 million in additional humanitarian aid to help people in Lebanon affected by the ongoing escalation of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. This emergency funding aims to tackle the most urgent needs such as protection, food assistance, shelter and health care. The EU stands ready to provide further support by […]

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Guatemala: High-Stakes Judicial Appointments | Human Rights Watch

(Washington, DC) – Guatemala’s Congress should ensure a transparent, merit-based selection process for Supreme Court and appellate court judges, Human Rights Watch said today. On September 23, 2024, nominating commissions submitted to Congress a list of candidates for all 13 Supreme Court and 156 Court of Appeals positions for the 2024-2029 term. Under Guatemalan law, Congress must elect […]

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Europeans believe they need more information to prepare for emergencies, a recent Eurobarometer survey shows

Today, the European Commission published the results of an opinion survey showing that the majority of EU citizens believe need more information to prepare for disasters and emergencies. Furthermore, the responses reveal citizens feel mostly exposed to risks linked to the impact of climate change but also security and social risks. The recent Special Eurobarometer […]

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European Commission pledges €260 million to Gavi for 2026–2027 and over €200 million in additional humanitarian aid

The European Commission announced a new funding pledge on 28 September of €260 million to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, for the years 2026–2027. The funds will contribute to Gavi’s goal for 2030 to help protect 500 million children around the world, strengthen immunisation systems, and boost global health security by increasing readiness to respond to […]

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UN rights office calls for more action to combat ‘senseless criminality’ in Haiti

Tackling insecurity in the Caribbean country must be the utmost priority, the report said, urging the authorities and the international community to do more to protect people and prevent further suffering. “No more lives should be lost to this senseless criminality,” said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk. Abuse, rape and intimidation Haiti […]

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Arrest of Cameroonian Separatist Leader Sends Important Message

Earlier this week, Norwegian police confirmed the arrest of a man on suspicion of incitement to commit crimes against humanity in Cameroon. AFP confirmed the man was Lucas Cho Ayaba, a Cameroonian separatist leader. His arrest could be a step toward justice for the victims of serious crimes in Cameroon’s embattled Anglophone regions. Ayaba is the […]

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