Latest news with #LizThrossell
Scoop
4 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
BRIEFING NOTES: (1) West Bank; (2) Ukraine
Spokespeople for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: Thameen Al-Kheetan and Liz Throssell Location: Geneva Date: 15 July 2025 Subjects: West Bank (Thameen Al-Kheetan) Ukraine (Liz Throssell) (1) Occupied West Bank Israeli settlers and security forces have intensified their killings, attacks and harassment of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, in the past weeks. This includes the demolition of hundreds of homes and forced mass displacement of Palestinians, contributing to the ongoing consolidation of annexation of West Bank territory by Israel, in violation of international law. Since the launch of Israel's operation 'Iron Wall' in the north of the occupied West Bank earlier this year, about 30,000 Palestinians remain forcibly displaced. Israeli forces have shot live ammunition at unarmed Palestinians, including those attempting to go back to their homes in the refugee camps of Jenin, Tulkarem and Nur Shams. Israeli security forces have often used unnecessary or disproportionate force, including lethal force against Palestinians who did not pose an imminent threat to life. The youngest victim, two-year-old Laila Khatib, was shot in the head by Israeli security forces on 25 January while she was inside her house in Ash-Shuhada village, in Jenin. On 3 July, 61-year-old Walid Badir was shot and killed by Israeli security forces, reportedly while he was cycling back home from prayers, passing through the outskirts of the Nur Shams camp. Laila and Walid are among at least 964 Palestinians killed since 7 October 2023 by Israeli forces and settlers in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Also, since 7 October 2023, 53 Israelis have been killed in reported attacks by Palestinians or in armed clashes, 35 in the West Bank and 18 in Israel. In June, the UN recorded the highest monthly injury toll of Palestinians in over two decades. In all, 96 Palestinians were injured by Israeli settlers. During the first half of 2025, there have been 757 settler attacks that resulted in Palestinian casualties or property damage – a 13 per cent increase on the same period in 2024. Since the start of operation 'Iron Wall', Israeli security forces have issued demolition orders for about 1,400 homes in the north of the occupied West Bank. These large-scale demolitions, if not rendered absolutely necessary by military operations, violate Israel's obligations as the occupying power. In addition, Israeli demolitions have displaced 2,907 Palestinians across the West Bank since 7 October 2023. In the same period, a further 2,400 Palestinians, nearly half of them children, have been forcibly displaced as a result of the actions of Israeli settlers thus emptying large parts of the West Bank of Palestinians. Permanently displacing the civilian population within occupied territory amounts to unlawful transfer, a grave breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention and, depending on the circumstances, may also amount to a crime against humanity. Israel must immediately stop these killings, harassment and home demolitions across the occupied Palestinian territory. As the occupying power, Israel must take all feasible measures to ensure public order and safety in the West Bank. It is under the obligation to protect Palestinians from settler attacks and to end the unlawful use of force by its security forces. There must be thorough, independent and transparent investigations into all killings and all other alleged violations of international law. Those responsible must be held to account. In line with the advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice, Israel must bring to an end its unlawful presence in the occupied Palestinian territory. (2) Ukraine According to our latest information, so far this month at least 139 civilians have reportedly been killed and 791 injured in Ukraine amid intense and successive waves of missile and drone strikes launched by the Russian Federation. In an overnight attack on 12 July, Russian armed forces reportedly deployed 597 Shahed loitering munitions and decoy drones, and 26 missiles. Two civilians were killed and 41 reportedly injured. Damage to civilian infrastructure was reported across several regions, including Chernivtsi, Lviv, Cherkasy, Volyn and Kirovohrad, far away from the frontline. On 9 July alone, Russian armed forces launched a record number of long-range drones against Ukraine – 728. July has brought no respite for civilians in Ukraine, after June which, according to our monitoring in Ukraine, saw the highest monthly number of civilian deaths and injuries in three years – with 232 people killed and 1,343 injured. The devastating physical and psychological impact on civilians of repeated attacks on their areas of residence - in this and other conflicts - cannot be captured by numbers alone. People are having to spend hours sheltering, including in basements, corridors and available refuges such metro stations. Children, older people and people with disabilities are especially vulnerable to the prolonged stress and disruption of sleep, and, in some cases, are unable to get to shelter. Intense and sustained attacks using explosive weapons with wide area effects in populated areas are likely to have indiscriminate impacts and as such raise serious concerns as to their compliance with international humanitarian law. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk reiterates that an immediate ceasefire is needed now to end this unbearable suffering. The Russian Federation's full-scale armed attack on Ukraine must urgently be halted and work on a lasting peace, in line with international law must intensify - a peace that ensures accountability for gross violations of international human rights law and serious violations of international humanitarian law. The High Commissioner also highlights that it is vital that any negotiations focus on a coordinated push – as immediate steps - to end attacks that affect civilians, protect the rights of people in occupied territory, return forcibly transferred or deported children, establish humanitarian corridors across the line of control, and end the torture and ill treatment of prisoners of war and other detainees. He urges the Russian Federation and Ukraine to commit to a full exchange of prisoners of war. Resolving the fate of civilian detainees also needs to remain high on the agenda. Since early June, colleagues in Ukraine have interviewed nearly 140 Ukrainian prisoners of war, all men, released during recently agreed exchanges. Many had endured up to three years in captivity, and nearly all reported being tortured or ill-treated, including severe beatings, electric shock and sexual violence. These findings confirm patterns we have previously established of widespread and systematic torture. We also continue to interview Russian POWs held by Ukraine, documenting the use of unofficial places of detention and torture and ill-treatment in the early stages of captivity. We note that the Ukrainian authorities have launched investigations into several of these allegations, and we call on them to ensure that these investigations progress expeditiously, in accordance with international standards.
Scoop
6 days ago
- Health
- Scoop
Ukraine: Civilians Under Fire In Record Numbers As Attacks Surge
15 July 2025 According to the UN human rights office, OHCHR, at least 139 civilians have been killed and 791 injured so far in July alone. 'The devastating physical and psychological impact on civilians of repeated attacks in this and other conflicts cannot be captured by numbers alone,' said OHCHR spokesperson Liz Throssell on Tuesday. Escalating attacks On the night of 12 July, Russian forces reportedly launched nearly 600 Shahed-type unmanned attack and decoy drones, along with 26 missiles, killing two civilians and injuring 41. Damage was reported across multiple regions, including Chernivtsi, Lviv, Cherkasy, Volyn and Kirovohrad – all far from active combat zones. Earlier that same week, Russian forces reportedly launched a record-breaking 728 long-range drones in a single 24-hour period. June marked the deadliest month for civilians in over three years. 'People are having to spend hours sheltering (…) in basements, corridors and available refuges such as metro stations,' said Ms. Throssell. ' In some cases, they're unable to get to shelter at all.' Health under pressure The UN World Health Organization (WHO) meanwhile has verified 2,504 attacks on health facilities and personnel in Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion by the Russian Federation on 24 February 2022. These strikes have hit hospitals, ambulances and first responders, including in so-called 'double tap' attacks where secondary strikes follow the initial impact. 'This means more than two attacks every day…Healthcare is not a safe place for patients and healthcare workers,' said Dr. Jarno Habicht, WHO Representative in Ukraine. Access to healthcare remains especially limited in frontline areas, where personnel and supplies are scarce. Only 69 per cent of residents in those areas have seen a primary care doctor, compared to 74 per cent nationally. WHO mobile teams operating in 82 locations have conducted more than 7,500 consultations in 2025 so far. The psychological toll is also wearing people down. A recent assessment found that seven out of 10 people reported anxiety, depression or severe stress over the last 12 months, while one in two said they had experienced significant stress in just the past two months. To address this, WHO and national partners have trained more than 125,000 health workers and expanded mental health services through more than 220 community resilience centres. Despite continued deliveries of trauma kits and medical supplies by UN and humanitarian partners, the response remains critically underfunded. As of mid-July, only 35.5 per cent of the required $129 million for 2025 has been secured, leaving more than two million people without adequate medical support. Call for accountability In Geneva, Ms. Throssell highlighted the UN human rights chief's calls for an immediate end to hostilities and for efforts toward a just and lasting peace. 'The Russian Federation's full-scale armed attack on Ukraine must urgently be halted and work on a lasting peace in line with international law must intensify,' Volker Türk said in a statement. The High Commissioner emphasized that any sustainable solution must include accountability for serious human rights violations, the return of deported children, protection for civilians in occupied areas, humane treatment of prisoners of war, and restoration of humanitarian corridors.
Scoop
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
BRIEFING NOTES: (1) USA; (2) (EN/SP) Venezuela; (3) (EN/AR) Egypt
Spokespeople for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: Liz Throssell and Thameen Al-Kheetan Location: Geneva Date: 13 May 2025 Subject: USA (Liz Throssell) Venezuela (Liz Throssell) Egypt (Thameen Al-Kheetan) (1) USA The deportation over recent months of large numbers of non-nationals from the United States of America, especially to countries other than those of their origin, raises a number of human rights concerns, UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk said on Tuesday. According to official US data, between 20 January and 29 April, 142,000 individuals have been deported from the US. In particular, the fate and whereabouts of at least 245 Venezuelans and some 30 Salvadorans removed to El Salvador remain unclear. Many of them were deported under the Alien Enemies Act as alleged members of specific criminal groups. They have reportedly been detained in the maximum-security 'Centre for Terrorism Confinement' (CECOT) in El Salvador, a facility where detainees are treated particularly harshly, without access to legal counsel or their relatives, or other contact with the outside world. (2) Venezuela The detention and enforced disappearance of critics of the Venezuelan Government is continuing, fuelling a climate of fear. The High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, calls on the authorities to release immediately all those arbitrarily detained, and to ensure due process and fair trial standards are met. Since last year's election, human rights defenders, journalists and others perceived as dissident voices have been subjected to intimidation and persecution, limiting the exercise of the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly. Among the most recent cases of concern is that of Eduardo Torres, a lawyer with the Venezuelan Education-Action Program on Human Rights, who according to credible information, was arrested on his way home in Caracas on 9 May. His relatives report being unable to contact him and remain unaware of his whereabouts. Our Office continues to be concerned by conditions of detention, in particular lack of access to adequate food and health care. Our Office has verified the deaths of at least three Government critics held in custody since July 2024. These cases must be fully and independently investigated. The High Commissioner urges authorities to provide promptly details on the fate and whereabouts of the missing and detained to their loved ones, and to ensure they are granted access to lawyers of their own choosing. Amid the widening restrictions on civic space, we recall that the Law on the Control, Regulation, Performance, and Financing of Non-Governmental and Related Organizations is vague and undermines the rights to freedom of expression and association. This law must be repealed. (3) Egypt We have closely followed the passage of Egypt's new Code of Criminal Procedure, which was recently approved by the House of Representatives and is now pending presidential approval. We have raised concerns over provisions of the law that will grant public prosecutors broad discretionary powers related to pre-trial detention, interception of communications, and travel bans. The law would also provide for other measures adversely impacting the right to effective legal representation, and on accountability for the conduct of public officials, including law enforcement personnel. Last-minute amendments were reportedly made to the draft law before it was sent to the President for his approval. However, these changes have not been made public, raising concerns about lack of legislative transparency. We call on the President of Egypt to consider carefully the proposed Criminal Procedure Code in light of these concerns prior to granting any assent, in order to ensure that it fully complies with Egypt's international human rights obligations.
Jordan Times
26-03-2025
- Politics
- Jordan Times
UN 'very concerned' at detentions in Turkey, urges probe
GENEVA — The UN voiced alarm on Tuesday at detentions in Turkey amid demonstrations over the arrest of Istanbul's opposition mayor, urging Turkish authorities to probe alleged unlawful use of force against protestors. "We are very concerned by the detention of at least 92 people by the Turkish authorities over the past week," United Nations rights office spokeswoman Liz Throssell said in a statement. She highlighted in particular the March 19 arrest of Ekrem Imamoglu, Istanbul's mayor, who is facing corruption charges and has been removed from office. More than 1,400 people have been arrested in connection with the mass protests, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said on Tuesday. A Turkish court on Tuesday remanded in custody seven journalists for covering the protests, including AFP photographer Yasin Akgul, who was seen being escorted away to jail. The UN rights office, she added, wanted allegations of unlawful use of force by police against protesters be "promptly and thoroughly investigated". The governor of Ankara on Tuesday said he was extending the ban on any form of protest in the Turkish capital until April 1. The ban would be in place "until 23:59 on April 1", the statement said.
National News
25-03-2025
- Politics
- National News
UN: Deeply concerned about widespread arrests in Turkey
NNA - The United Nations expressed concern on Tuesday over Turkey's use of mass arrests amid nationwide protests against the detention of Istanbul's opposition mayor, urging authorities to investigate allegations of unlawful use of force against demonstrators, according to Agence France-Presse. "We are deeply concerned that Turkish authorities have arrested at least 92 people over the past week, including Ekrem İmamoğlu, the democratically elected mayor of Istanbul," said Liz Throssell, a spokeswoman for the UN Human Rights Office, in a statement. She noted that more than 1,000 people, including journalists, have been detained during the protests.
