The Russian Federation’s invasion of Ukraine has driven the fastest, largest displacement witnessed in decades, with some 14 million people forced from their homes since 24 February, Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, told the Security Council today.
As the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) continued its general debate on all aspects of United Nations peacekeeping, speakers called today for realistic mandates, improved strategic communication and support for regional partnerships.
The Security Council today failed to adopt a resolution put forth by the Russian Federation to set up a commission consisting of all members of the Council to investigate its complaint about the non-compliance by the United States and Ukraine with their obligations under the Biological Weapons Convention.
Tackling the topic, “General principles of law”, the Sixth Committee (Legal) concluded its consideration of Cluster 3 of the International Law Commission’s report today — and thereby, its consideration of that report as a whole — as delegates delved into the complexity of achieving consensus on aspects of international law for which little to no uniform State practice exists.
The General Assembly, acting without a vote, today adopted a resolution calling on all States which have not yet signed onto the Rome Statute — the international treaty that created the International Criminal Court at a conference in Rome in 1998 — to contemplate joining without delay.
With the general elections now behind, it is up to the political leaders of Bosnia and Herzegovina to implement much-needed reforms, members of the Security Council spoke today as the 15-nation organ extended the mandate of the European Union-led stabilization force in the Western Balkan nation for another year.
A draft resolution introduced by the Russian Federation entitled “Secretary-General’s Mechanism for Investigation of Alleged Use of Chemical and Biological Weapons” drew intense debate in the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) today and was ultimately defeated in a recorded vote.
As the Sixth Committee concluded Cluster 2 of the International Law Commission’s report, speakers tackled “Immunity of State officials from foreign criminal jurisdiction”, debating the differentiated application of the immunity ratione personae and ratione materiae in the criminal jurisdiction of foreign States, while also underscoring the need of finding balance between protecting immunity and ensuring accountability for serious crimes.
States must urgently respond to a fast-growing global refugee crisis through concrete actions, the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) heard today, as delegates shared problems and best practices during an interactive dialogue and general debate on refugees and displacement.
Senior United Nations officials today highlighted the need to improve the safety, security and mental health of peacekeepers while also ensuring accountability, improving strategic communications in the field and bolstering the participation of women, as the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) began its general debate of all aspects of peacekeeping operations.
