EuropeanExpress

‘Significant evidence’
Command responsibility
International accountability
Spiralling crisis
Multiple pressures

‘Significant evidence’

The crimes detailed in Tuesday’s report include burning of sexual body parts, other forms of sexual violence and summary executions of captured combatants or civilians accused of being informers.

“We have uncovered significant evidence, including eyewitness testimony, showing systematic torture in Myanmar detention facilities,” said Nicholas Koumjian, Head of the Mechanism.

“We have made headway in identifying the perpetrators, including the commanders who oversee these facilities and we stand ready to support any jurisdictions willing and able to prosecute these crimes.”

Command responsibility

The report covers the period from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025 and draws on more than 1,300 sources, including nearly 600 eyewitness testimonies, photographs, videos, documents, maps and forensic evidence.

It also details intensified investigations into aerial attacks on schools, homes and hospitals – including incidents in the days following the March 2025 earthquake, when rescue operations were still underway.

The UN Human Rights Council-mandated investigators are analysing the composition of the Myanmar Air Force and its chain of command to identify those responsible for such strikes.

New investigations have also been opened into atrocities in Rakhine state, where the military and the ethnic armed group Arakan Army are battling for control, alongside ongoing probes into crimes committed against the Rohingya in 2016 and 2017.

International accountability

Evidence collected by investigators has already supported proceedings before the International Criminal Court (ICC), the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and in Argentina.

It contributed to the ICC Prosecutor’s November 2024 request for an arrest warrant for Min Aung Hlaing, Myanmar’s military chief and to the Argentine Federal Court’s February 2025 warrants against him and 24 others.

“Our report highlights a continued increase in the frequency and brutality of atrocities committed in Myanmar,” Mr. Koumjian said.

“We are working towards the day when the perpetrators will have to answer for their actions in a court of law.”

Spiralling crisis

Fighting between the military, pro-democracy forces and ethnic armed groups has displaced millions and pushed the country into deep political, economic and humanitarian turmoil.

The country also faces the long-running consequences of the 2017 military operations against the Rohingya Muslim minority in Rakhine state.

Those campaigns – described by the then UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein as “a textbook example of ethnic cleansing” – forced hundreds of thousands of Rohingya to flee across the border into Bangladesh, where most remain in crowded refugee camps.

Multiple pressures

Investigators warn their work is being undermined by the UN’s liquidity crisis, which have cut the mechanism’s 2025 budget to just 73 per cent of the approved amount and will require a 20 per cent reduction in regular budget-funded staff in 2026.

To address resource constraints and operational challenges – including lack of direct access to witnesses in Myanmar, security risks and cybersecurity threats – the investigation team has adopted a three-year Strategic Plan, focusing on strengthening operational resilience and enhancing capacity.

Joint statement on the humanitarian situation in Gaza

12 August 2025

Joint statement on the humanitarian situation in Gaza

Joint statement on behalf of 27 partners on aid to Gaza and restrictions facing NGOs

The humanitarian suffering in Gaza has reached unimaginable levels. Famine is unfolding before our eyes. Urgent action is needed now to halt and reverse starvation. Humanitarian space must be protected, and aid should never be politicised.

However, due to restrictive new registration requirements, essential international NGOs may be forced to leave the Occupied Palestinian Territories imminently which would worsen the humanitarian situation still further. We call on the government of Israel to provide authorisation for all international NGO aid shipments and to unblock essential humanitarian actors from operating. Immediate, permanent and concrete steps must be taken to facilitate safe, large-scale access for the UN, international NGOs and humanitarian partners. All crossings and routes must be used to allow a flood of aid into Gaza, including food, nutrition supplies, shelter, fuel, clean water, medicine and medical equipment. Lethal force must not be used at distribution sites, and civilians, humanitarians and medical workers must be protected.

We are grateful to the US, Qatar and Egypt for their efforts in pushing for a ceasefire and pursuing peace. We need a ceasefire that can end the war, for hostages to be released and aid to enter Gaza by land unhindered.

This statement has been signed by:

The Foreign Ministers of Australia, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK.

Kaja Kallas, Dubravka Šuica and Hadja Lahbib.

Ukrainian Cropdusters Are Hunting Russian Drones

12 August 2025

Ukrainians are hunting drones by all means possible. Including planes that previously performed civilian work. Recently, a farmer

10 ways the EU makes your life easier

12 August 2025

Follow Sven, Elena and Sofia as they embark on an exciting trip across Europe and discover the benefits the EU brings to your daily life. From study opportunities and ticket compensation claims to using your phone abroad and the euro, there’s all sorts of ways the EU improves your life. Read on.

Indigenous Peoples Day highlights AI’s risks and opportunities

United Nations News

12 August 2025

Indigenous Peoples Day highlights AI’s risks and opportunities

An estimated 476 million Indigenous Peoples live across 90 countries, representing 5,000 different cultures.

Without proper safeguards, AI risks harming Indigenous rights through inequitable distribution of the groundbreaking technology, environmental damage and the reinforcement of damaging colonial legacies.

The growing amount of electricity generation needed for AI data centres and other infrastructure is also intensifying climate change pressures, according to the UN.

When situated near Indigenous Peoples’ lands, AI data sites can exacerbate environmental degradation, negatively affecting the ecosystems they depend on.

Moreover, decisions on AI are often made by governments and major tech companies excluding any consultation with Indigenous Peoples. This has meant Indigenous language, knowledge and culture are regularly included in AI datasets without consent, perpetuating patterns of appropriation and misrepresenting Indigenous Peoples.

Despite challenges and risks, AI also presents new opportunities. Worldwide, Indigenous Peoples have explored the use of AI, using it as a tool for preserving intergenerational knowledge, empowering youth, and preserving culture, language and identity.

Safeguards for and innovations from Indigenous Peoples in the realm of AI are the focus of this year’s International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, as well as recipients of the Equator Prize.

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2025 Equator Prize
Prize recipients

2025 Equator Prize

To commemorate the day, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) has announced the ten community-based, Indigenous-led organizations that will be recipients of the 2025 Equator Prize.

This award honours environmentally grounded solutions led by Indigenous Peoples that promote sustainable development, with winners demonstrating this year’s prize theme, “Nature for Climate Action”.

Winners will receive $10,000, be honored at a high-level online ceremony later this year and may join global events, including the UN General Assembly and the UN Climate Change Conference, COP30, taking place in Brazil later this year.

Prize recipients

The Latin American recipients include Cooperativa de Mujeres Artesanas del Gran Chaco (COMAR) in Argentina, Associação Uasei dos Povos Indígenas de Oiapoque (Uasei) in Brazil, the Hakhu Amazon Foundation in Ecuador and the First Agrobiodiversity Zone in Peru.

COMAR supports Indigenous women through Matriarca, a brand turning traditional crafts into sustainable products. Uasei fosters an Indigenous-led bioeconomy around native açaí, while Hakhu defends the Ecuadorian Amazon and Indigenous rights through advocacy, decolonial education and grassroots media.

In India, Bibifathima Swa Sahaya supports village farmers through multi-cropping, seed banks and solar-powered processing – combining traditional knowledge with regenerative agriculture and renewable energy.

The 2025 Equator Prize winners exemplify this year’s theme, “Nature for Climate Action,” with a special focus on youth- and women-led climate action.

In Indonesia, Mitra BUMMA supports community enterprises protecting 100,000 hectares of rainforest while also boosting local economies and governance. The Ranu Welum Foundation empowers Indigenous Dayak communities through forest conservation and cultural preservation.

In Papua New Guinea, Sea Women of Melanesia Inc. empowers women to lead marine conservation by combining traditional knowledge with modern science.

And in Africa, Nature and People As One in Kenyaempowers pastoralist communities to restore drylands using traditional knowledge and affordable restoration methods, and Sustainable Ocean Alliance Tanzania restores marine ecosystems through sustainable seaweed farming and empowers coastal communities.

“On this important day, the 2025 Equator Prize winners are a reminder of the importance of honoring and recognizing the vision and leadership of Indigenous Peoples and local communities,” said Marcos Neto, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Director of UNDP’s Bureau for Policy and Programme Support.

Colombia: Statement by the Spokesperson following the death of Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay

12 August 2025

Colombia: Statement by the Spokesperson following the death of Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay

Four years on, here’s what total exclusion of women in Afghanistan looks like

United Nations News

12 August 2025

Four years on, here’s what total exclusion of women in Afghanistan looks like

Four years after Taliban fighters retook the capital Kabul on 15 August 2021, gender equality agency UN Women is warning that the situation for women and girls in Afghanistan is increasingly untenable.

And without urgent action, this untenable reality will become normalised and women and girls will be fully excluded.

“The Taliban is closer than ever to achieving its vision of a society that completely erases women from public life,” UN women said in a press release on Monday.

UN Women’s warning came just as the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) released its latest report on the human rights situation between May and June, detailing harshening enforcement of regulations against women and death threats against female humanitarians.

Table of Contents

A society which is against them
Out of opportunities
An unhealthy cycle
Solidarity in Afghanistan
A dangerous precedent

A society which is against them

The edicts which the Taliban have passed restricting women and girls’ rights interact together to create an inescapable cycle which relegates women to private spaces and increases their vulnerability.

In most cases, including for humanitarian workers, women are not allowed to move freely in public without being accompanied by a mahram, or a male guardian.

In its report, UNAMA noted a change in the enforcement of mahram requirements, with the de facto Taliban authorities instructing private businesses and health clinics to refuse services to all women who were not accompanied by a mahram.

In certain regions, the authorities have also begun to strictly enforce hijab regulations, including by requiring women to wear a chador, a full body covering. In Herat, if they were not doing so, women are being banned from public spaces.

Out of opportunities

In addition to impeding women’s movements in public spaces, the Taliban has also banned women and girls from secondary and higher education.

Taken together, these two edicts have profound ramifications at all levels of society. Now, not only is it functionally impossible for women to receive educational degrees, it is also unduly difficult for them to get jobs and enter into training programmes.

As a result, over 78 per cent of Afghan women are not in education, employment or training.

This means that almost half of the work force is not contributing to the economy in measurable ways, a huge problem for a country whose economy has been devastated by sanctions and climate shocks.

UNAMA’s report noted that the de facto authorities continue to affirm that Islam permits women to work – even as other edicts seem to discourage it.

An unhealthy cycle

But it’s not just the economy which is suffering. In some cases, these edicts can literally be a matter of life or death.

“The results are devastating. Women are living shorter, less healthy lives,” the UN agency said.

Take healthcare for instance. If women are not allowed to enter higher education, they cannot become doctors. And if women are banned from receiving treatment from male doctors – which they are in certain regions – they cannot expect to live healthy lives.

UN Women estimates that impediments to receiving healthcare for women in Afghanistan will increase maternal mortality by 50 per cent by 2026.

Child marriage is also becoming more common, and women are increasingly subjected to violence, inside and outside of their homes. In some cases, de facto authorities were the ones involved in or enforcing forced marriages.

Solidarity in Afghanistan

It is not just in public that women’s voices are being excluded – 62 per cent of women feel that they cannot even influence decisions at home. This comes amidst a curtailing of expression rights more generally, with many private media outlets closing and social media accounts being monitored, according to the UNAMA report.

UN Women emphasises that despite having little to hope for, Afghan women remain resilient. They continue to look for moments of solidarity and hope for a different future.

In May, some women working for the UN were subjected to explicit death threats in relation to their work, but they continue to deliver lifesaving and life-building services.

One woman whose grassroots leadership organization lost all of its funding in 2022 continues to work to support women in smaller ways.

“I will continue to stand strong as a woman, supporting other Afghan women. I go to remote areas and collect [women’s] stories, listen to their problems and this gives them hope. I try my best and that also gives me hope,” she said.

A dangerous precedent

In total, since 2021, almost 100 edicts which restrict how women and girls move through society have been instituted and enforced. In four years, not a single one has been overturned.

Susan Ferguson, UN Women’s representative in Afghanistan, said that this lack of progress must be understood beyond the Afghan context.

“This is not only about the rights – and futures – of Afghan women and girls. It’s about what we stand for as a global community,” Ms. Ferguson said.

“If we allow Afghan women and girls to be silenced, we send a message that the rights of women and girls everywhere are disposable. And that’s an immensely dangerous precedent.”

World News in Brief: The agony of Sudan continues, the deceased Colombian presidential candidate, the world celebrates Steelpan

NewsdeskTET

12 August 2025

The director of operations and advocacy at the United Nations Coordination Office (Ochha), Edem Wosornu, warned on Monday that More than 60 people have died of malnutrition in a single week In the besieged city of the government of El Fasher in the state of Darfur du Nord. Most deaths are those of vulnerable groups, such as women and children.

The famine was detected for the first time in the zamzam travel camp in the north of Darfur about a year ago, probably extending to other regions since.

The OCHA is also concerned about the current violence in the Kordofan region, including attack reports against the northern villages of Kordofan last week. Eighteen civilians were said to have been killed and dozens of others were injured.

“It is tragic that we must regularly emphasize that civilians should never be targeted, and all parties must comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law,” said UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric during the daily briefing on Monday in New York.

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Cholera epidemic and response

Guterres deeply saddened by the death of the Colombian presidential candidate
Let’s listen to it for the own steelpan of the Caribbean

Cholera epidemic and response

The UN and humanitarian partners continue to extend the response to cholera in Sudan, where 100,000 cases have been recorded nationally since July 2024.

Since June 21, there have been 5,300 suspicious and confirmed cases and 84 deaths due to water disease in the state of North Darfur. Most of them took place in the locality of Tawila, where around 330,000 civilians moved from the Zamzam and El Fasher camp shelter in disastrous conditions.

UN partners are on the ground by responding with cholera treatment centers, but overcrowding, poor sanitation, limited access and the rainy season is accelerating the propagation of the disease and restricting the provision of aid.

However, on August 10, a new vaccination campaign supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) started in the state of Khartoum, targeting 1.1 million people.

Guterres deeply saddened by the death of the Colombian presidential candidate

Secretary General António Guterres released one statement Monday, expressing his deep sadness as to the death of the candidate for the Colombian presidential election and former senator, Miguel Uibe, sending condolences to his family and to the Colombian people.

The death of Mr. Uibe followed two months in intensive care after being shot down several times during what would have been a targeted attack during a campaign rally in the capital of Bogotá on June 7.

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, also published a statement expressing his shock and sadness about the death of the presidential candidate.

The best UN officials both noted that active investigations were continuing in the shooting. A teenager who would have led the attack was arrested, but the reason is not yet clear, according to reports.

Mr. Türk stressed that this death “is a brutal reminder of the importance that the next elections of Colombia are carried out with regard to the life of all, without violence and in a climate which allows a safe and inclusive participation.”

The head of the Rights of the United Nations said that his office in Colombia will continue to help the Colombian authorities and civil society in their human rights work before the next elections.

In the same vein, the secretary general urged Colombia authorities to take all the necessary measures to ensure peaceful election and security for all candidates.

Let’s listen to it for the own steelpan of the Caribbean

August 11 steps World Steel DayCelebrating the exuberant music instrument from Trinidad and Tobago and which is now appreciated worldwide.

The Steelpan, otherwise known as steel drum, has roots in the carnival percussion groups of the early 20th century of the Caribbean islands and is played with rubber tip sticks.

The UN recognizes the Joyeux Steelpan for its rich cultural and historical importance as well as its role in the promotion of sustainable development and diversity.

In honor of the day, the United Nations General Assembly encourages activities that raise awareness of the cultural importance of the beloved instrument and its link with the Sustainable development objectives (ODD).

This celebration underlines how music and culture can promote inclusive and sustainable communities around the world.

Originally published at Almouwatin.com

Gaza: Guterres requests probe on the murder of journalists, as the deaths of malnutrition of children increase

NewsdeskTET

12 August 2025

Journalists – of which five worked for the Al Jazeera media network – were killed in an Israeli strike targeted in Gaza City the day before.

“” These last murders highlight the extreme risks that journalists continue to face when they cover the war in progress“, UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said During his regular press conference in New York.

“The secretary general calls for an independent and impartial investigation into these last murders.”

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Respect the press
Hungry children die
Help from trucks
Fuel shortages continue

Respect the press

Mr. Dujarric stressed that at least 242 journalists have been killed in Gaza since the start of the war almost three years ago.

“The Secretary General stresses that journalists and media workers must be respected, They must be protected and they must be allowed to do their work freelyExist of fear and without harassment, “he said.

A child suffering from malnutrition is located on a bed at the Société de la Société des Patients de Gaza City.

Hungry children die

Meanwhile, the number of children in Gaza died of malnutrition since October 2023 exceeded 100, according to the health authorities of Gazan, the United Nations coordination office, Ochhasaid in an update.

More than a third of the population does not eat for days bothAccording to the United Nations World Food Population (Wfp). In addition, acute malnutrition is doping, with more than 300,000 children at severe risks.

It comes in the middle A recent warning by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (Fao) that only 1.5% of land cultivated in the enclave remain both accessible and in good condition, ” reporting an almost total collapse of local food production. “”

Help from trucks

In terms of aid, the UN and its partners collected foods of food and hygiene of the Kerem Shalom / Karem Abu Salem borders on Wednesday.

” However, The supplies were discharged directly from these trucks before reaching their destination, given the extreme despair omnipresent in Gaza today“Said Ocha.

The agency stressed that people there “need a foreseeable life buoy-not a help net-so they don’t feel that they need to take desperate measures to survive.”

PAM said that the simple fact of covering the basic needs of humanitarian food assistance, more than 62,000 metric tonnes are required to enter Gaza each month, and so far, humanitarian workers have not been allowed to provide enough supplies to support the population.

Fuel shortages continue

Humanitarians also collected fuel to Kerem Shalom Crossing on Wednesday. Israel allows, on average, the entrance of around 150,000 liters of fuel per day, which is still well below the required minimum. Consequently, vital operations continue to be in danger.

The Palestine Civil Defense Organization warned that more than half of their ambulances have ceased to operate through Gaza due to the shortage of fuel and spare parts.

“The Israeli authorities must allow the help of entering through all the level passages and via all the available corridors so that humanitarian workers can deliver – on a large scale, safe and worthy – to reach the most vulnerable, including women, children and the elderly,” said OCHA.

Originally published at Almouwatin.com

Safe Meas Key to Global Prosperity, said the Security Council

NewsdeskTET

11 August 2025

Keeping the marine roads in safety today while taking on emerging challenges was at the center of a debate in the UN Security advice Monday which was summoned by Panama, president for the month of August.

Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary General International Maritime Organization (OMI), said to the Council that last year, a workforce of only 1.9 million sailors moved more than 12.3 billion tonnes of goods, “mainly maintained world trade.”

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