UN urges more support for sexual violence survivors, victims in Somalia
"Somali communities deserve praise for supporting survivors and victims of these heinous crimes," UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Somalia James Swan said in a statement issued in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.
"For Somalia to build a society free of stigma and the trauma of sexual violence, we all must work to prevent and respond to sexual violence," he added, calling on Somali authorities to continue and enhance efforts in combating stigma and providing meaningful support to survivors, their families, and communities.
In line with this year's theme of "Intergenerational Effects of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence," the UN in Somalia said it is working with stakeholders to highlight how sexual violence inflicts long-term harm, not only on individuals but also on the broader social fabric, often leaving families and communities grappling with its devastating effects for generations.
The International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict is observed annually on June 19. It serves as a reminder of the international community's shared responsibility to prevent and end conflict-related sexual violence and to uphold the dignity and human rights of all.
The date also marks the UN Security Council's adoption of a resolution recognizing sexual violence as a weapon of war and a threat to international peace and security.
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The Star
4 hours ago
- The Star
Thai-Cambodia clashes spread along the frontier as death toll rises
BANGKOK (Thailand)/SAMROANG (Cambodia): Thailand and Cambodia pounded each other with heavy artillery fire for a third day on Saturday (July 26) as a border conflict that killed at least 33 people and displaced more than 170,000 from their homes spread across the frontier. Clashes broke out for the first time in the countries' coastal regions where they meet on the Gulf of Thailand, around 250km southwest of the main frontlines thumping with blasts on July 26 afternoon. 'It feels like I'm escaping a war zone,' 76-year-old Samlee Sornchai told AFP at a temple shelter for evacuees in the Thai town of Kanthararom, after abandoning his farm near the embattled frontier. Both sides say they are open to a truce in the combat being fought with jets, tanks and ground troops, but have accused the other of undermining armistice efforts. Tensions initially flared over long-contested ancient temple sites, but fighting has spread along the neighbours' rural frontier region, marked by a ridge of forest-clad hills surrounded by wild jungle and agricultural land where locals farm rubber and rice. Both sides reported a coastline clash at around 5am (6am Singapore time), with Cambodia accusing Thai forces of firing 'five heavy artillery shells' into locations in Pursat province, which borders Thailand's Trat province. Cambodia's Defence Ministry said 13 people were now confirmed killed in the fighting, including eight civilians and five soldiers, with 71 people wounded. Thai authorities say 13 civilians and seven soldiers have been killed on their side, taking the toll across both nations higher than the 28 killed in the last major round of fighting between 2008 and 2011. The fighting has forced more than 138,000 people to be evacuated from Thailand's border regions, with more than 35,000 driven from their homes in Cambodia. After the closed meeting of the Security Council in New York, Cambodia's UN ambassador Chhea Keo said his country wanted a ceasefire. 'Cambodia asked for an immediate ceasefire – unconditionally – and we also call for the peaceful solution of the dispute,' he told reporters. Border row Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa said on July 26 that for any ceasefire or talks to proceed, Cambodia needed to show 'genuine sincerity in ending the conflict'. 'I urge Cambodia to stop violating Thai sovereignty and to return to resolving the issue through bilateral dialogue,' he told reporters. Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura said on July 25, before the UN meeting was held, that Bangkok was open to talks, possibly aided by Malaysia. 'We are ready, if Cambodia would like to settle this matter via diplomatic channels, bilaterally, or even through Malaysia, we are ready to do that. But so far we have not had any response,' Nikorndej told AFP. Malaysia currently holds the chair of the Asean regional bloc, of which Thailand and Cambodia are both members. Acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has warned that if the situation escalates, 'it could develop into war'. Both sides blamed each other for firing first, while Thailand accused Cambodia of targeting civilian infrastructure, including a hospital hit by shells and a petrol station hit by at least one rocket. Cambodia has accused Thai forces of using cluster munitions. At the UN, Cambodia's envoy questioned Thailand's assertion that his country, which is smaller and less militarily developed than its neighbour, had initiated the conflict. '(The Security Council) called for both parties to (show) maximum restraint and resort to a diplomatic solution. That is what we are calling for as well,' said Chhea Keo. Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra – still an influential figure in the kingdom – visited shelters on July 26 to meet evacuees. 'The military needs to complete its operations before any dialogue can take place,' he told reporters. The 76-year-old said he had no plans to contact Hun Sen, Cambodia's powerful former prime minister who was long a close ally. 'His actions reflect a disturbed mindset. He should reflect on his conduct,' Thaksin said of Mr Hun Sen. The fighting marks a dramatic escalation in a long-running dispute between the neighbours – both popular destinations for millions of foreign tourists – over their shared 800km border. Dozens of kilometres in several areas are contested and fighting broke out between 2008 and 2011, leaving at least 28 people dead and tens of thousands displaced. A UN court ruling in 2013 settled the matter for more than a decade, but the current crisis erupted in May when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a new clash. Relations between the two countries soured dramatically when Hun Sen in June released a recording of a call with suspended Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra focused on the border row. The leak triggered a political crisis in Thailand as Paetongtarn – Thaksin's daughter – was accused of not standing up for Thailand enough, and of criticising her own army. She was suspended from office by a court order. -- AFP, BLOOMBERG
Barnama
4 hours ago
- Barnama
Thailand, Cambodia Seek UN Support Amid Escalating Border Conflict
A Cambodian military personnel stands on a BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launcher, around 40 km (24 miles) from the disputed Ta Moan Thom temple, after Thailand and Cambodia exchanged heavy artillery on Friday as their worst fighting in more than a decade stretched for a second day, in Oddar Meanchey province, Cambodia, July 25, 2025. REUTERS/Soveit Yarn By Kenny Teng & Vijian Paramasivam BANGKOK, July 26 (Bernama) -- As the border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia enter their third day, both countries addressed the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Friday, with Thailand calling for an immediate end to hostilities and a return to dialogue. Cambodia, meanwhile, urged international intervention, warning that continued fighting could destabilise the region. bootstrap slideshow Speaking during the closed-door UNSC meeting in New York, Thailand's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN), Cherdchai Chaivaivid, reaffirmed Thailand's rejection of force as a means of resolving international disputes. He reaffirmed the kingdom's firm commitment to peaceful settlement in accordance with the UN Charter. 'Thailand urges Cambodia to immediately cease all hostilities and acts of aggression, and resume dialogue in good faith,' he told the council. His remarks were released to media. The UNSC held an emergency session on Friday under the agenda item "Threats to International Peace and Security," focusing on the Thai-Cambodian conflict that erupted following a deadly border clash. Cherdchai said Thailand has actively engaged Cambodia over the past two months through multiple bilateral mechanisms, including the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC), to resolve differences and prevent further escalation. Meanwhile, Cambodia's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN, Chhea Keo, urged the UN and ASEAN to intervene and help resolve the border dispute with Thailand, warning that failure to act could destabilise regional security.
The Star
5 hours ago
- The Star
'We are not involved in this': Laos denies reports on border clash with Cambodian forces
Cambodian villagers living near the border in Oddar Meanchey province flee their homes to seek refuge in Siem Reap province, Cambodia, July 25, 2025. -- Photo by Sao Khuth/Xinhua VIENTIANE (Xinhua): A source from the Lao People's Army told Xinhua on Saturday that reports of an exchange of fire between Lao forces and Cambodian armed personnel were untrue. The Lao People's Army News, the official publication of the Lao military, confirmed that no official reports had been received regarding the incident. Earlier in the day, some media outlets reported that the Lao military had issued an emergency notice claiming a fierce exchange of fire between Lao forces and Cambodian armed personnel who had allegedly crossed the border illegally. According to these reports, 10 individuals were arrested and weapons were seized, with a screenshot of the purported statement attached. However, upon verification, the screenshot was found to be from a statement issued on Friday by the Military Special Operations Force of Champasak province of Laos. The statement detailed that during clashes between Thai and Cambodian forces from July 24 to July 25, 10 artillery shells had landed on Laotian territory. The statement also noted that it was unclear which side had fired the shells. "The Laotian authority has not accused or launched an investigation into this case yet, but the Thai side has accused Cambodia," Cambodian defense ministry's undersecretary of state and spokesperson Lieutenant General Maly Socheata said in a press briefing. The Cambodian army "has launched counterattacks by focusing only on Thai military bases," she added. Socheata also refuted Thai media reports that Cambodia has threatened to use long-distance PHL03 missiles to strike Thailand. Thailand's Second Army Region on Saturday said in a social media post that the shells that landed on Laos during Thai-Cambodian border clashes, as reported by some media outlets, came from the Cambodian forces. The Thai side expressed its deep regret for the damage to the houses and properties of Lao people, yet after verification and coordination with the Lao side, it was confirmed that the shells did not come from the Thai army but were fired by Cambodian forces, the Thai army said. Thailand's Channel 7 earlier reported that it was said during the clashes between Thailand and Cambodia on Saturday morning, 10 artillery shells landed in Laos, damaging civilian houses. Relevant parties are investigating and verifying the source of the cross-border shells. - Xinhua
