The message looked convincing. A delivery notice, a bank alert, or a message from a marketplace seller asking for a quick payment. Only later do many people realize the truth: the money is gone, the website has vanished, and the “company” never existed. Online scams are now one of the most common consumer crimes in […]
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
At least 1.4 million people largely in the capital Port-au-Prince, have been forced to flee their homes due to gang violence, creating what the UN’s Designated Expert on the situation of human rights in Haiti, William O’Neill, has called an “unprecedented level of internal displacement.” Speaking to journalists at UN Headquarters in New York on […]
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
At least 1.4 million people largely in the capital Port-au-Prince, have been forced to flee their homes due to gang violence, creating what the UN’s Designated Expert on the situation of human rights in Haiti, William O’Neill, has called an “unprecedented level of internal displacement.” Speaking to journalists at UN Headquarters in New York on […]
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
At least 1.4 million people largely in the capital Port-au-Prince, have been forced to flee their homes due to gang violence, creating what the UN’s Designated Expert on the situation of human rights in Haiti, William O’Neill, has called an “unprecedented level of internal displacement.” Speaking to journalists at UN Headquarters in New York on […]
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
At least 1.4 million people largely in the capital Port-au-Prince, have been forced to flee their homes due to gang violence, creating what the UN’s Designated Expert on the situation of human rights in Haiti, William O’Neill, has called an “unprecedented level of internal displacement.”
Speaking to journalists at UN Headquarters in New York on Monday following a 10-day mission to the country, he said that the “on-going human rights crisis creates massive suffering for the Haitian people, especially the most vulnerable.”
At least 26 gangs control up to 90 per cent of Port-au-Prince and some of the surrounding areas. Around half of all gang members are children, under the age of 18.
Burnt-out vehicles line a roadside in Port-au-Prince, after a reported firefight between gang members and the police. (file).
They violently extort communities, carry out rape, murder and kidnap some for ransom, all while fighting the beleaguered Haitian security forces for territorial dominance.
Thousands of people “remain trapped in areas controlled by gangs or along shifting frontlines,” said Mr. O’Neill, facing what he described as “invisible borders.”
For young women and girls those borders are even greater: “They face discrimination for being girls, for living in gang-controlled neighborhoods, and for being poor. ‘I just want to live well and safely,’ one girl told me, ‘because this is my country,’” he said.
The UN’s Designated Expert on the situation of human rights in Haiti, William O’Neill (left) meets Haiti’s Minister of Justice Patrick Pelissier.
Haiti is faced with a deepening humanitarian crisis exacerbated by the ongoing violence and frequent extreme weather events including floods and droughts as well as earthquakes.
The country also faces political uncertainty having not had an elected president since Jovenel Moïse was assassinated in 2021. It is hoped that elections will be held later this year.
As Designated Expert, Mr. O’Neil’s role is to monitor human rights developments in Haiti and advise the Government of Haiti, national human rights institutions and civil society organizations, including women’s rights groups, to assist in their efforts to ensure respect for – and the promotion and protection of – human rights.
He told UN correspondents that he remains “deeply concerned about corruption, impunity and the weakness of accountability mechanisms,” and added that the country is facing “a difficult yet promising moment.
“If we can help Haiti address insecurity, fight corruption and impunity, and protect human rights, then everyone will prosper.”
The war in Iran is still happening with no clear prediction of when it might end. When Israel
Researchers have identified a new type of visual cell in deep-sea fish larvae that challenges a century of
The explosions which shook several major Iranian cities, including Tehran, mark a new phase in the military escalation which now openly pits Iran against the United States and its allies. The confirmed deployment of B-52 strategic bombers as part of US Operation Epic Fury indicates that the conflict has crossed a particularly dangerous strategic threshold. […]
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
The explosions that have shaken several major Iranian cities, including Tehran, mark a new phase in the military escalation that now openly pits Iran against the United States and its allies. The confirmed deployment of strategic B-52 bombers as part of the American operation known as Epic Fury indicates that the conflict has crossed a […]
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
Speaking to reporters in the capital Beirut following two weeks of widespread destruction triggered by the US and Israeli bombing of Iran, António Guterres noted that Hezbollah rocket fire into Israel in support of Tehran had been followed by a “devastating” Israeli bombing campaign which is “rendering large portions of Lebanon uninhabitable.”
“The Lebanese people did not choose this war. They were dragged into it,” he continued.
“The war must stop,” the UN chief said, underscoring that there is no military solution to the conflict continuing across the Middle East, only a diplomatic one in line with the UN Charter.
He acknowledged the impact on both sides of the Blue Line that separates southern Lebanon from northern Israel, which is patrolled by the UN peacekeeping force UNIFIL under a Security Council mandate.
Israelis have fled to shelters in the face of Hezbollah rockets, while hundreds of Lebanese have been killed “including many children.”
Well over 800,000 have been forced to flee their homes in the southern conflict zone and areas targeted in the Hezbollah stronghold of southern Beirut, following blanket Israeli evacuation orders.
“I was deeply saddened by the testimonies of the displaced people that I visited in a shelter today,” said Mr. Guterres.
He noted that a cessation of hostilities agreement between Lebanon and Israel of just over a year ago, did not see an end to simmering violence, with both Hezbollah and Israeli forces violating ceasefire terms.
The UN chief paid tribute to the courage of UNIFIL peacekeepers who have come under fire in recent days: “Attacks against peacekeepers and positions are completely unacceptable and they must stop.”
Mr. Guterres praised the Lebanese Government’s historic decision last August to establish a “monopoly of arms”, adding that Hezbollah militants must abide by it and all other Security Council resolutions to hand over their weapons.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres visits a Ghanaian peacekeeper in hospital serving with the UNIFIL mission who was injured after coming under fire during the renewed conflict in southern Lebanon.
“Finally, my message to the international community is simply this: step up your engagement,” said the UN chief.
Empower the Lebanese State and support the Lebanese Armed Forces to secure the capabilities and resources they need.”
He called for countries to respond generously to the UN flash humanitarian appeal in aid of the Government-led response.
“The people of Lebanon – as well as Israel and all other peoples throughout the region – deserve to live without fear, to raise their children without the sound of sirens and strikes. To return home without wondering when they have to flee again.”
The UN on the ground is working tirelessly to support Lebanon’s people and institutions, the Secretary-General underlined: “Together, we will spare no effort in striving for the peaceful future that Lebanon and this region so richly deserve,” he said.
