Latest news with #Türk
Scoop
3 days ago
- Politics
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Palestine Action Ban ‘Disturbing' Misuse Of UK Counter-Terrorism Legislation, Türk Warns
GENEVA (25 July 2025) – The UK Government's decision to proscribe the 'Palestine Action' protest group under terrorism legislation raises serious concerns that counter-terrorism laws are being applied to conduct that is not terrorist in nature and risks hindering the legitimate exercise of fundamental freedoms across the UK, UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk warned today. The UK Government proscribed Palestine Action under the Terrorism Act 2000 after some of its members broke into a military airfield in June and reportedly spray-painted two military aircraft, among other incidents of property damage. 'UK domestic counter-terrorism legislation defines terrorist acts broadly to include 'serious damage to property'. But, according to international standards, terrorist acts should be confined to criminal acts intended to cause death or serious injury or to the taking of hostages, for purpose of intimidating a population or to compel a government to take a certain action or not,' said Türk. 'It misuses the gravity and impact of terrorism to expand it beyond those clear boundaries, to encompass further conduct that is already criminal under the law.' The ban, among other things, makes it a criminal offence to be a member of Palestine Action, express support for the group, or wear an item of clothing that would arouse 'reasonable suspicion' that a person is a member of or supports the organization. Such conduct is punishable by criminal penalties, including fines and prison sentences of up to 14 years. 'The decision appears disproportionate and unnecessary. It limits the rights of many people involved with and supportive of Palestine Action who have not themselves engaged in any underlying criminal activity but rather exercised their rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association,' the High Commissioner said. 'As such, it appears to constitute an impermissible restriction on those rights that is at odds with the UK's obligations under international human rights law.' 'The decision also conflates protected expression and other conduct with acts of terrorism and so could readily lead to further chilling effect on the lawful exercise of these rights by many people,' he added. Since the UK Government's ban came into effect on 5 July, at least 200 people have been arrested under the UK Terrorism Act 2000, many of them while attending peaceful protests. 'I urge the UK Government to rescind its decision to proscribe Palestine Action and to halt investigations and further proceedings against protesters who have been arrested on the basis of this proscription. I also call on the UK Government to review and revise its counter-terrorism legislation, including its definition of terrorist acts, to bring it fully in line with international human rights norms and standards,' the High Commissioner said.
Scoop
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Türk Calls For Immediate Steps To Ensure Protection Of People In Suweida And Across Syria
GENEVA (18 July 2025) – Syria's interim authorities must ensure accountability and justice for the killings and other gross human rights violations and abuses in the southern city of Suweida, UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk said today, repeating his call for a new Syria that works for all its people, equal in dignity and without discrimination. Credible reports received by the UN Human Rights Office indicate widespread violations and abuses, including summary executions and arbitrary killings, kidnappings, destruction of private property and looting of homes. Among the reported perpetrators were members of the security forces and individuals affiliated with the interim authorities, as well as other armed elements from the area, including Druze and Bedouins. This has led to a mass displacement of the population in the predominantly Druze governorate. 'This bloodshed and the violence must stop, and the protection of all people must be the utmost priority, in line with international human rights law,' Türk said. 'There must be independent, prompt and transparent investigations into all violations, and those responsible must be held to account, in accordance with international standards. Incitement to violence and hate speech, both online and offline, must also be stopped. 'It is crucial that immediate steps are taken to prevent recurrence of such violence. Revenge and vengeance are not the answer.' In one incident, on 15 July, the UN Human Rights Office documented the unlawful killing of at least 13 people when armed individuals affiliated with the interim authorities deliberately opened fire at a family gathering. On the same day, they reportedly summarily executed six men near their homes in two separate incidents. The Office has also documented the public humiliation of a Druze man, including the forcible shaving of his moustache, an important cultural symbol for the Druze community. In all, hundreds have been reportedly killed since 12 July. 'My Office has received accounts of distressed Syrians who are living in fear for their lives and those of their loved ones,' said the High Commissioner. 'The deployment of State security forces should bring safety and protection, not add to the fear and violence.' He also raised concerns regarding reports of civilian casualties resulting from Israel's airstrikes on Suweida, Daraa and in the centre of Damascus. 'Attacks such as the one on Damascus on Wednesday pose great risks to civilians and civilian objects. Such attacks must cease,' the High Commissioner said. Türk called for a thorough, urgent and independent vetting process to ensure that those responsible for human rights violations and abuses are not integrated into Syria's official security or military structures. 'This is a vital step in rebuilding public trust and advancing Syria's broader transition,' he said. He also called on the Syrian interim authorities to publish the results of the national fact-finding committee's investigations into the violence in coastal areas earlier this year. 'Impartial and thorough investigations into the recent violence would also strengthen the ongoing wider transitional justice process to ensure accountability for past violations and abuses,' the High Commissioner added. 'Syrians deserve truth, accountability, and guarantees that such violations will not be repeated.' 'With the fall of the former government, Syrians have witnessed a moment of hope for a better future based on human rights. It is the responsibility of the interim authorities to demonstrate that this chapter will be defined by rights, justice, and equal protection for all.'
Scoop
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Sudan: UN Human Rights Chief Deplores Killing Of Dozens Of Civilians In Kordofan
GENEVA (17 July 2025) - UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Thursday deplored the killing of dozens of civilians by both parties amid ongoing hostilities in Sudan's Kordofan region over the past week. The UN Human Rights Office has verified the killing of least 60 civilians by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in North Kordofan's Bara locality since 10 July. Civil society groups have reported that up to 300 people were killed. At least 23 other civilians were reportedly killed and more than 30 others injured when airstrikes by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) hit two villages in West Kordofan from 10 to 14 July. In addition, on 17 July, at least 11 civilians - all members of a single family - were killed in a SAF airstrike in Bara locality. 'It is distressing that more than two years since the conflict began parties to the conflict in Sudan continue to demonstrate callous disregard for civilians' lives and safety,' said Türk. The latest civilian deaths come amid worrying reports that the RSF is mobilising for an offensive on El Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan state. The UN Human Rights Chief also expressed continued concern for the safety of civilians in El Fasher, North Darfur, following multiple RSF attacks on the besieged city in recent days, including a ground attack on 11 and 12 July, which reportedly resulted in civilian casualties. 'An escalation of hostilities in North Darfur and Kordofan will only further aggravate the already severe risks to civilians and the dire humanitarian situation in a conflict that has already wrought untold suffering on the Sudanese people,' said Türk. 'I urge those with influence to act to prevent such an escalation, and to ensure that both parties uphold their obligations under international law, including on the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure.' The High Commissioner renewed his calls on the warring parties to ensure safe, sustained and unimpeded access to humanitarian aid, including through humanitarian pauses, and to prevent and repress violations of international law. 'All alleged violations must be fully and independently investigated and those responsible brought to justice,' he said.
Scoop
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
UN Rights Chief Condemns The Killing Of Scores Of Civilians In Sudan
17 July 2025 Since 10 July, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, has verified that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have killed at least 60 civilians in North Kordofan's Bara locality, while civil society groups have reported that up to 300 were killed. The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) also hit two villages in West Kordofan from 10 to 14 July, killing at least 23 civilians and causing more than 30 injuries. Most recently, on Thursday, an SAF airstrike in Bara killed at least 11 civilians who were all members of a single family. According to the High Commissioner's statement, these deaths come amid worrying reports that the RSF is mobilising for an offensive on the capital of North Kordofan state, El Obeid. Continued concern for El Fasher At another major hotspot in the Sudan conflict, the besieged city of El Fasher in North Darfur state, the RSF has conducted multiple attacks recently. They include a ground attack on 11 and 12 July, which reportedly resulted in civilian casualties. The High Commissioner subsequently 'expressed continued concern for the safety of civilians in El Fasher.' 'Callous disregard for civilians' lives and safety' The statement stressed that the High Commissioner 'deplored the killing of dozens of civilians by both parties.' 'It is distressing that more than two years since the conflict began parties to the conflict in Sudan continue to demonstrate callous disregard for civilians' lives and safety,' he said. 'An escalation of hostilities in North Darfur and Kordofan will only further aggravate the already severe risks to civilians and the dire humanitarian situation in a conflict that has already wrought untold suffering on the Sudanese people,' Mr. Türk urged those with influence to prevent further escalation and ensure parties uphold their obligations under international law, including the protection of civilians. The High Commissioner renewed his calls for the warring parties to ensure safe and unimpeded access to humanitarian aid and to prevent violations of international law. 'All alleged violations must be fully and independently investigated and those responsible brought to justice,' he concluded. Heavy rains and attacks on civilians At the daily briefing in New York on Thursday, Associate Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, Stephanie Tremblay, relayed reports from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs on the worsening humanitarian situation in North Darfur. Heavy rains and flooding on 14 and 15 July displaced more than 400 people and destroyed dozens of homes in North Darfur's Dar As Salam locality. Displaced families are now sheltering with host communities already struggling to cope. Ms. Tremblay also reported on additional attacks on civilians in recent days, with shelling killing five children in El Fasher on 16 July and six people at the Naivasha market in the famine-stricken Abu Shouk camp 15 July. The El Fasher Maternity Hospital, the only major hospital still operating in the area, is overwhelmed, critically short-staffed and severely under-resourced. Additionally, the lean season from now until October is compounding the food insecurity crisis by disrupting markets, limiting incomes and raising food prices. Noting the High Commissioner's statement, Ms. Tremblay said that 'we call for an immediate cessation of hostilities, the protection of civilians and humanitarian personnel, unimpeded access across both borders and conflict lines, and increased international funding to respond to this escalating crisis.'
Scoop
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
World News In Brief: Inter-Ethnic Violence In Syria, Indigenous Peoples' Rights, Global Information Security
14 July 2025 The violence erupted two days after a Druze merchant was abducted on the highway to Damascus. The incident marks the latest episode of sectarian bloodshed in Syria, where fears among minority groups have surged since Islamist rebels toppled former dictator Bashar al-Assad in December and installed a new caretaker Government, which is gaining increasing international recognition. Those targeted include the Druze sect, an offshoot of Shia Islam. UN voices 'deep concern' On Monday, UN Deputy Special Envoy for Syria, Najat Rochdi, expressed 'deep concern' over these reports and urged authorities and stakeholders to 'take immediate steps to protect civilians, restore calm and prevent incitement.' She also underscored the need for inclusion, trust-building and meaningful dialogue to advance a credible and inclusive political transition in Syria. UN human rights chief says 'wisdom' of Indigenous Peoples needed in climate change, digital policy upgrades The UN human rights chief spoke at a high-level political forum on the rights of Indigenous Peoples on Monday. Underscoring how crucial such forums are to advancing the rights of Indigenous Peoples, Volker Türk highlighted developments in Colombia, Finland and Guatemala that have given them more self-determination. But despite these advances, violations against Indigenous Peoples' rights continue. Many still lack formal land recognition, while mining activity, deforestation and large-scale agricultural development often cause environmental destruction. Indigenous Peoples also experience immense discrimination and face the brunt of climate chaos, Mr. Türk stressed. Toll on activists Furthermore, data from the human rights office reveals that 26 per cent of rights activists killed in 2023 and 2024 were Indigenous, largely in the Americas. Additionally, states are using AI in ways that harm Indigenous Peoples through surveillance, data exploitation and exclusion from decision-making. Türk thus called for human rights-based approaches that uphold Indigenous data sovereignty and self-determination. The High Commissioner also called for future policies on climate, digital technologies and other areas to 'reflect the wisdom and experience of Indigenous Peoples.' 'This is not only essential to respect and fulfil the human rights of Indigenous Peoples,' he concluded. 'There is growing recognition that the ideas and approaches of Indigenous Peoples hold important lessons for all of us.' Guterres welcomes step forward in securing digital technology worldwide The UN chief Antonio Guterres on Monday, welcomed the adoption by consensus of the UN Open Ended Working Group on Information and Communication Technologies. It was established in 2020 with a five-year mandate to promote regular institutional dialogue and initiatives focused on keeping digital technologies safe and secure. The Secretary-General welcomed the Final Report of 10 July, which summed up the past five years of negotiations, said a statement issued by his Spokesperson. It reflects shared views on current and emerging threats, responsible government policies, international law, norms and efforts such as confidence-building and capacity development. Call for cooperation It also establishes a permanent mechanism to continue discussions about responsible State behaviour in the use of information and communications technologies, which the Secretary General particularly appreciated. 'The Secretary-General now calls upon all States to work together through the Global Mechanism to tackle digital risks and ensure these technologies are leveraged for good,' the statement said. The Secretary General congratulated the group on its accomplishments, saying the consensus adoption 'demonstrates that even in the most challenging international security environment, collective action is still possible.'
