The Human Rights Office says it has received reports that Da’esh has continued to forcibly transfer civilians in Iraq. It was told that trucks full of abducted civilians were taken from Hamam al-Alil to Tal Afar city. Credible reports also say 180 people were killed in Kokjali town, in eastern Mosul, on Wednesday.
In progress at UNHQ
Noon Briefings
A new report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) finds that the world must urgently curb emissions by 25 per cent from the predicted 2030 levels, and that even with the Paris Agreement, the world is still headed for a temperature rise of between 2.9 to 3.4 degrees centigrade this century.
In marking the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, the Secretary-General said that attacks on journalists violate the human rights of individuals and undermines freedoms of information and expression across societies. He notes that impunity, which makes this terrible situation worse, is rampant.
The humanitarian community repeats its call for the strict adherence to international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians in Iraq. The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs said he was deeply concerned for the safety of civilians in Mosul as fighting reaches the city.
The Special Envoy for Yemen briefed the Security Council this morning and said that what the country is witnessing today contravenes commitments made by the parties to the United Nations to peace. He said that the security situation is dire, and the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate despite efforts of the humanitarian agencies.
At a Security Council debate today on cooperation with regional and subregional organizations, the Secretary-General spoke about the International Criminal Court and noted concerns about the Court’s work, including the idea that it has convicted only Africans despite evidence of crimes in other parts of the world.
The Secretary-General is appalled by reports of attacks that killed students and teachers in a school complex in Haas village, Idlib governorate, Syria, on 26 October. He calls for immediate and impartial investigation of this and other similar attacks against civilians in Syria.
The Secretary-General condemned the recent outbreak of violence in the Central African Republic, which resulted in the deaths of at least four civilians and the injuring of a further nine. He reiterated that the UN Mission will take all measures, in line with its mandate, to protect civilians and foster stability.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights warned today that rising ethnic rhetoric, hate speech and incitement to violence against certain ethnic groups in South Sudan could result in mass atrocities if not reined. He urged President Salva Kiir and other leaders to condemn the incitement and defuse tensions.
As the United Nations turns 71 today, Mayor Bill de Blasio issued a proclamation this morning declaring 24 October as UN Day across New York City and recognizing the Organization “for the indelible impact it has made in our great city and our world”.