Latest news with #UNHumanRightsCouncil


Qatar Tribune
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
UN rights rapporteur accuses Israel of apartheid, genocide
dpa Geneva A UN official tasked with monitoring the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip on Tuesday accused Israel of using companies to pursue a 'settler-colonial' displacement project aimed at apartheid and genocide. Francesca Albanese, an Italian legal and human rights academic, said that while political leaders and governments shirked their obligations, 'far too many corporate entities have profited from the Israeli economy of illegal occupation, apartheid and now genocide.' Albanese, who was appointed UN special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian Territories in 2022, has published a report entitled 'From economy of occupation to economy of genocide.' Israel has long accused Albanese of lacking fairness, neutrality and impartiality. The Israeli government rejects cooperation with the UN Human Rights Council and its organs. The Israeli diplomatic representation in Geneva described her report as being 'motivated by her obsessive hate-driven agenda to delegitimize the existence of the State of Israel' and as a flagrant abuse of her office. Albanese's report investigates what it terms 'the corporate machinery sustaining the Israeli settler-colonial project of displacement and replacement of the Palestinians in the occupied territory.' It goes on to describe 'the role of corporate entities in sustaining the illegal Israeli occupation and its ongoing genocidal campaign in Gaza' and says that corporate interests underpin the Israeli settler-colonial logic of the displacement, replacement and dispossession of Palestinians. It adds that corporate actors have contributed to the acceleration of this displacement-replacement process since the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel mounted from the Gaza Strip that has led to the current war. On Tuesday, at least 95 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks throughout Gaza, including more than a dozen desperate people seeking food at US-Israel-backed aid distribution sites.


CTV News
6 hours ago
- Politics
- CTV News
U.K. lawmakers approve ban of Palestine Action as terrorist group
LONDON -- British lawmakers voted on Wednesday to ban pro-Palestinian campaign group Palestine Action as a terrorist organization, after its activists broke into a military base and damaged two planes in protest at what it says is Britain's support for Israel. Palestine Action, which describes itself as a direct action movement that uses disruptive methods, has routinely targeted companies in Britain with links to Israel, including Israeli defence firm Elbit Systems, which it has called its 'main target.' Britain's Labour government accused the group of causing millions of pounds of damage through action at a Thales factory in 2022, an Elbit site last year and at the Royal Air Force base in southern England last month - the trigger for the decision to ban, or proscribe, the group. Proscription would officially designate Palestine Action as a terrorist organization on a par with Islamic State or al Qaeda under British law, making it a crime to support or belong to the groups. Britain's proscription order will reach parliament's upper chamber, the House of Lords, on Thursday. If approved by lawmakers there, Palestine Action's ban would become effective in the following days. The group, which has called its proscription unjustified and an 'abuse of power,' has challenged the decision in court and an urgent hearing is expected on Friday. United Nations experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council have urged Britain to reconsider its move, arguing that acts of property damage without the intention to endanger life should not be considered terrorism. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, Britain's interior minister, says that violence and criminal damage have no place in legitimate protest, and that a zero-tolerance approach was necessary for national security. On Tuesday, the group said its activists had blocked the entrance to an Elbit site in Bristol, southwestern England, and that other members had occupied the rooftop of a subcontracting firm in Suffolk, eastern England, it said had links to Elbit. Israel has repeatedly denied committing abuses in its war in Gaza, which began after Palestinian militant group Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023. In addition to Palestine Action, the proscription order approved by Britain's parliament includes neo-Nazi group Maniacs Murder Cult and the Russian Imperial Movement, a white supremacist group which seeks to create a new Russian imperial state. The vote on the three groups was taken together, meaning all three had to be banned or none of them. (Reporting by Sachin Ravikumar; Editing by Alison Williams)


Arab News
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Arab News
UK lawmakers approve ban of Palestine Action as terrorist group
LONDON: British lawmakers voted on Wednesday to ban pro-Palestinian campaign group Palestine Action as a terrorist organization, after its activists broke into a military base and damaged two planes in protest at what it says is Britain's support for Israel. Palestine Action, which describes itself as a direct action movement that uses disruptive methods, has routinely targeted companies in Britain with links to Israel, including Israeli defense firm Elbit Systems, which it has called its 'main target.' Britain's Labour government accused the group of causing millions of pounds of damage through action at a Thales factory in 2022, an Elbit site last year and at the Royal Air Force base in southern England last month — the trigger for the decision to ban, or proscribe, the group. Proscription would officially designate Palestine Action as a terrorist organization on a par with Daesh or Al-Qaeda under British law, making it a crime to support or belong to the groups. Britain's proscription order will reach parliament's upper chamber, the House of Lords, on Thursday. If approved by lawmakers there, Palestine Action's ban would become effective in the following days. The group, which has called its proscription unjustified and an 'abuse of power,' has challenged the decision in court and an urgent hearing is expected on Friday. United Nations experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council have urged Britain to reconsider its move, arguing that acts of property damage without the intention to endanger life should not be considered terrorism. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, Britain's interior minister, says that violence and criminal damage have no place in legitimate protest, and that a zero-tolerance approach was necessary for national security. On Tuesday, the group said its activists had blocked the entrance to an Elbit site in Bristol, southwestern England, and that other members had occupied the rooftop of a subcontracting firm in Suffolk, eastern England, it said had links to Elbit. Israel has repeatedly denied committing abuses in its war in Gaza, which began after Palestinian militant group Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023. In addition to Palestine Action, the proscription order approved by Britain's parliament includes neo-Nazi group Maniacs Murder Cult and the Russian Imperial Movement, a white supremacist group which seeks to create a new Russian imperial state. The vote on the three groups was taken together, meaning all three had to be banned or none of them.

Kuwait Times
4 days ago
- Health
- Kuwait Times
Kuwait showcases elder care model at UN forum
GENEVA: Kuwait highlighted its long-standing commitment to elder care at a high-level international event held Thursday in Geneva under the title 'Towards Safe and Dignified Ageing: Protecting Older Persons Amid Demographic and Social Changes.' Speaking at the side event of the 59th session of the UN Human Rights Council, Dr Jasem Al-Kandari, Assistant Undersecretary for Social Care at Kuwait's Ministry of Social Affairs, emphasized Kuwait's support for regional and international efforts to promote the rights of older persons. 'Kuwait's presence in this international forum reflects its ongoing commitment to enhancing the rights of older adults, exchanging experiences, and developing social policies in partnership with international organizations and civil society,' Al-Kandari told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) following his participation. He underscored that improving the lives of older people is a key pillar of Kuwait's social policy — and of the broader GCC region — recognizing this segment of the population as 'a vital foundation for development and a rich source of experience and values.' During the event, Al-Kandari presented on 'GCC Policy Trends in Elder Care Amid Demographic and Social Challenges,' spotlighting the progressive steps Kuwait and neighboring countries have taken. He specifically highlighted Kuwait's pioneering approach, which focuses on 'enhancing quality of life for the elderly, guaranteeing their rights, and providing a safe and supportive environment in the face of accelerating social and demographic shifts.' Al-Kandari pointed out that Kuwait's history in elder care dates back to 1955, noting 'significant progress in the legislative framework' including the creation of a specialized Elder Care Department and the adoption of advanced laws to protect this group. Kuwait's efforts are grounded in both historical commitment and constitutional obligations. Article 11 of the Kuwaiti Constitution explicitly states that the state 'shall guarantee aid to citizens in cases of old age, illness, or inability to work, and shall provide them with social insurance, social assistance, and medical care.' In a 2024 statement to KUNA, Minister of Social Affairs, Family and Childhood Affairs Dr Amthal Al-Huwailah emphasized that 'Kuwait spares no effort in ensuring the highest levels of dignity and well-being for older people,' citing the services provided by the Elder Care Department, including preventive and curative care, educational and training opportunities, and support systems for families to better care for elderly relatives. The country's current infrastructure includes six specialized mobile service centers, with one full-service elder care hub in each of Kuwait's six governorates. These centers provide a mix of social, medical, psychological, physiotherapy, nutritional counseling, and spiritual guidance. In August 2024 alone, the Elder Care Department served 3,888 individuals through non-residential programs and cared for 17 residents in its full-time facilities. Recent expansions include launching a mobile elder care unit in Hawally, opening new multipurpose spaces for seniors in West Abdullah Al-Mubarak and Ferdous, and piloting a new initiative to integrate elderly residents with children from family care institutions to enhance social and emotional wellbeing. Al-Kandari also pointed to Kuwait's long-standing legal and policy framework. 'Kuwait's historical experience in elder care dates back to 1955,' he said, highlighting laws like Elder Care Law No 18 of 2016 and the creation of a dedicated Elder Care Department. Kuwait's system offers residential care, day programs, rehabilitation, home visits by mobile medical teams, and services like the Priority Card, which eases access to public transport, healthcare, and facilities. According to local Arabic-language media, the country operates 22 mobile healthcare teams, ensuring seniors are served wherever they live. 'Kuwait places older persons at the center of its social policies, recognizing their key role in the social fabric and working to safeguard their dignity and participation,' Al-Kandari said. — KUNA

Kuwait Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
Kuwait hosts UN event urging protection for aid workers in Gaza
Experts warn of escalating attacks on workers in Gaza, call for global efforts to deliver critical assistance GENEVA: Kuwait's permanent mission to the United Nations in Geneva held a high-level event Thursday spotlighting the urgent need to protect humanitarian workers and ensure aid delivery in conflict zones, especially Gaza. The event, titled 'Humanitarian Access and Protection of Humanitarian Workers: A Pillar for Advancing Human Rights in Conflicts', was part of the 59th session of the UN Human Rights Council. It drew broad participation from diplomats, UN officials, humanitarian experts, and NGO representatives. Kuwait's Ambassador to the UN and other international organizations in Geneva, Ambassador Nasser Al-Hain, said the event reflects Kuwait's 'deep-rooted humanitarian approach and commitment to supporting multilateral humanitarian work.' 'Protecting humanitarian workers and ensuring aid reaches those in need are ethical and legal priorities the international community must uphold,' Al-Hain said in a statement to KUNA. He emphasized Kuwait's role as a hub for humanitarian work and its belief in diplomacy as a tool for peace and justice. Gaza at the center Speakers repeatedly highlighted the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the escalating dangers facing aid workers. UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food Michael Fakhri warned of the growing use of starvation as a weapon of war. 'Starvation is now a tool to humiliate civilians and forcibly displace them by destroying food systems, farms, warehouses, and water infrastructure,' he said. He called for multinational peacekeeping forces to escort aid convoys under the UN General Assembly's Uniting for Peace mechanism. Patrick Duplat, Humanitarian Access Advisor at OCHA, expressed alarm over what he described as the 'militarization of humanitarian aid,' particularly in Gaza. 'Current mechanisms for delivering aid are military-led, obstructing humanitarian work and violating core humanitarian principles,' he said, urging member states to reassess how they fund humanitarian efforts. Grave toll Francesco Motta, Head of the Asia, Middle East and North Africa Branch at the UN Human Rights Office, described a 'moral and legal collapse in conflict zones,' citing systematic targeting of humanitarian workers. Since October 7, 2023, at least 467 aid workers have been killed by Zionist entity forces, including 317 staff from UNRWA, 47 from the Palestinian Red Crescent, and 97 from NGOs, he said. He added that 1,581 health workers, including women and civil defense members, have also been killed. 'No hospital in Gaza is operating fully anymore,' Motta warned, noting that a million people could soon face Phase 4 food insecurity, with nearly half a million on the brink of famine. He added that attacks on health workers were rising in the West Bank as well, with ambulances blocked and specialized medical care denied. Call for accountability Dr Altaf Musani, WHO's Director of Health Emergency Interventions, said over 8,630 attacks on health facilities and personnel have been recorded globally since 2018, resulting in 4,000 deaths and 6,000 injuries. He said 2025 has seen the highest number yet, with 1,528 attacks in Gaza and the West Bank alone. International law expert Marco Sassòli stressed that arbitrary denial of humanitarian aid is a violation of international humanitarian law. 'Starvation and discrimination are two sides of the same unlawful coin,' he told KUNA. He also reminded that humanitarian workers are civilians and must not be targeted, pointing to UN Security Council Resolution 2730 (2023), which calls for national and international accountability mechanisms. — KUNA