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Myanmar on the ‘path to self-destruction’ if violence does not end

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Myanmar on the ‘path to self-destruction’ if violence does not end

Since then, “there has been no end to the violence, even though thousands have been killed and thousands more injured,” said UN Special Envoy to Myanmar, Julie Bishop, on Tuesday, briefing the General Assembly.

“I have stressed consistently that without a ceasefire, a de-escalation of violence and a focus on the needs of the people, there can be no inclusive lasting peace,” she said.

Call for ceasefire

Having spoken with survivors among the rubble of homes, hospitals and schools, Ms. Bishop said they “wanted the fighting to end so they could live in peace,” as armed clashes continue to obstruct the aid and reconstruction effort.

Although some parties to the conflict have announced ceasefires, “they have largely not been observed,” she said.

Reiterating her call for an end to hostilities she said civilian protection “must be the priority and inclusive and sustainable peace a shared goal.”

Without and end to the violence she said Myanmar would continue on “the path to self-destruction.”

Contested elections

Ms. Bishop warned that unless there is an end to the violence and an inclusive and transparent electoral process, all that could result from any election – which the junta is planning to contest – would be “greater resistance and instability.”

“It is inconceivable how an election could be inclusive,” she said, with so many political leaders still being held by the regime.

Ms Bishop also reiterated the UN’s call for the release of all arbitrary prisoners, including democratically elected leaders Win Myint and Aung San Suu Kyi.

Rohingya’s plight

With up to 80 per cent living in poverty, the situation of the mostly Muslim Rohingya minority in both Myanmar and Bangladesh remains dire.

Caught in the crossfire between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army, Rohingya civilians in their historic homeland of Rakhine State are being subjected to forced recruitment and other abuse.

As aid dwindles, Rohingyas living in Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar face real consequences, including cuts to food rations and education.  

“A viable future for Myanmar must ensure safety, accountability, and opportunity for all its communities, including Rohingya, and must address the root causes of conflict, discrimination and disenfranchisement in all its forms,” said Ms. Bishop. 

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Ukraine/Russia: press remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas at the joint press conference on the 18th package of sanctions against Russia

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Ukraine/Russia: press remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas at the joint press conference on the 18th package of sanctions against Russia

Ukraine/Russia: press remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas at the joint press conference on the 18th package of sanctions against Russia

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Israeli attacks on Gaza schools could be crimes against humanity: UN probe

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Israeli attacks on Gaza schools could be crimes against humanity: UN probe

The UN Human Rights Council-mandated Independent International Commission of Inquiry (COI) report found that Israeli forces have used airstrikes, shelling, burning, and controlled demolitions to damage or destroy more than 90 per cent of schools and university buildings across Gaza.

This destruction in the wake of the 7 October 2023 Hamas-led terror attacks on Israel has made education impossible for over 658,000 children, many of whom have been out of school for nearly two years.

“We are seeing more and more indications that Israel is carrying out a concerted campaign to obliterate Palestinian life in Gaza,” said Navi Pillay, Chair of the Commission.

“Israel’s targeting of the educational, cultural and religious life of the Palestinian people will harm the present generations and generations to come, hindering their right to self-determination.”

Classroom-turned military base

The COI documented cases where Israeli forces seized and used educational institutions as military bases, including the conversion of part of Al-Azhar University’s Al-Mughraqa campus into a synagogue for troops.

The report also noted one instance where Hamas militants used a school for military purposes. Such conduct is a breach of international humanitarian law, which mandates the distinction between civilian objects and military targets.

Targeting of religious sites

More than half of Gaza’s religious and cultural sites have been damaged or destroyed, including places serving as refuges for civilians – killing hundreds, including women and children.

The Commission stated that Israeli forces knew or should have known the cultural significance of these sites and failed to prevent harm.

In the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities appropriated, developed and profited from cultural heritage sites representing Palestinian, Jewish and other cultures, while displaced Palestinian residents.

They have also blocked or severely restricted Palestinians from accessing the sites.

“Attacks on cultural and religious sites have deeply impacted intangible culture, such as religious and cultural practices, memories and history,” said Ms. Pillay.

“The targeting and destruction of heritage sites, the limiting of access to those sites in the West Bank and the erasure of their heterogenic history erode Palestinians’ historical ties to the land and weaken their collective identity.”

Recommendations

The Commission called on Israel to immediately cease attacks on cultural, religious, and educational institutions and to end the seizure and military use of such facilities. It urged Israel to end its occupation and settlement activities, especially near religious and cultural sites, and to comply fully with International Court of Justice (ICJ) orders.

Investigators also urged Palestinian authorities to protect and preserve cultural heritage sites, including those of diverse origins, calling on de facto authorities in Gaza to stop using civilian objects for military purposes.

Humanitarian crisis spiralling

UN agencies continue to warn of a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) highlighted the case of a five-year-old malnourished child whose recovery depends on adequate food and sustained care.

Aid at scale must be allowed into Gaza for children’s health and survival,” the agency urged.

‘Another day of death traps’

Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN agency assisting Palestine refugees, expressed deep concern over delays and obstacles in aid delivery, urging Israel to allow the UN safe and unhindered access to bring in supplies and distribute it safely.

“This is the only way to avert mass starvation including among one million children,” he said.

Mr. Lazzarini warned that casualties and injuries continue to be reported daily at US-backed distribution points managed by Israeli and private security forces – creating in effect, daily death traps.

He described the system as humiliating, forcing thousands of hungry and desperate people to walk tens of miles, while excluding the most vulnerable and those living too far from aid centres.

Food aid disrupted

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) reported that 59 trucks carrying essential wheat flour to northern Gaza were intercepted and offloaded by starving civilians desperate to feed their families.

A second convoy of 21 trucks bound for southern Gaza faced a 36-hour delay awaiting clearances.

As of 10 June – nearly three weeks after the limited resumption of aid – WFP transported over 700 trucks to the Kerem Shalom crossing, compared to 600-700 trucks of aid transported per day during the ceasefire earlier this year.

To stave off starvation, stabilize markets and calm desperation, we need to consistently support the entire population with basic food requirements every month,” WFP said.

Insecurity and lawlessness in Gaza have also led to trucks being looted, injuring drivers and damaging trucks.

WFP called for faster approvals, safe routes and open crossings, as well as an urgent ceasefire, to allow it to reach those in need.

“The food aid brought into Gaza during the ceasefire helped to push back the tide of hunger. We can do this again.”

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ECB appoints Thomas Vlassopoulos as Director General Market Infrastructure and Payments

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ECB appoints Thomas Vlassopoulos as Director General Market Infrastructure and Payments

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Global action needed as progress stalls on disability-inclusive development goals

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Global action needed as progress stalls on disability-inclusive development goals

“The message is stark: persons with disabilities face higher poverty, greater unemployment, deeper food and health insecurity and more limited access to education, jobs, and digital technologies,” said Amina Mohammed.

But action is underway.

The 18th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (COSP18) will focus on enhancing public awareness of the rights and contributions of persons with disabilities for social development.

Progressive roots

Chair of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Kim Mi-Yeon, underscored the importance of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, now 20 years old, even amid growing global challenges.

The CRPD is the most progressive human rights treaty of the 21st century…It marked a decisive shift – from medical and charity models to a rights-based approach – and affirms the duty to dismantle structural and gender-based discrimination,” said Mr. Kim.  

Even with the ongoing UN liquidity crisis, he highlighted the momentum across the world for bolstering rights, including the International Forum on Disability Employment in Korea.  

Gaining momentum

The social development agenda aims to continue building momentum for disability rights and social development ahead of two major upcoming events: the Second World Summit for Social Development in November and the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development later this month, FFD4, taking place in the Spanish city of Sevilla.

This week’s agenda

From Tuesday to Thursday, the conference will feature speeches by UN and civil society leaders, a public debate on the rights and contributions of persons with disabilities and three roundtables.

The roundtables will explore financing for disability-inclusive development, harnessing artificial intelligence for inclusion and advancing the rights of Indigenous persons with disabilities

Government officials, civil society representatives, UN agencies, and experts will share strategies and best practices throughout the event. 

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USCIRF A Beacon of Bipartisanship in the Global Fight for Religious Freedom

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In today’s deeply polarized political climate, where partisan divides often seem insurmountable, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) stands out as a rare and vital example of sustained bipartisan cooperation. Established by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, USCIRF is an independent, nonpartisan federal commission tasked with monitoring religious freedom violations around the world and advising the U.S. government on how to respond.

Despite representing different political ideologies and appointed by leaders across the executive and legislative branches, the commissioners are united by one core principle: the belief that religious freedom is a universal human right — not just a domestic concern or a partisan issue, but a moral imperative with global consequences.

Religious freedom lies at the intersection of faith, politics, and international diplomacy. It affects everything from refugee crises and humanitarian aid to trade agreements and diplomatic relations. When religious minorities are persecuted, societies destabilize. When individuals are punished for what they believe — or don’t believe — entire regions become breeding grounds for extremism, displacement, and conflict.

That’s where USCIRF comes in.

The commission plays a critical role in shaping U.S. foreign policy by identifying countries where religious freedom is under threat, recommending sanctions or diplomatic actions, and advocating for persecuted communities worldwide. Each year, USCIRF releases a comprehensive Annual Report , highlighting the most urgent cases of religious persecution and naming nations that should be designated as Countries of Particular Concern (CPCs) by the U.S. Department of State.

What makes USCIRF particularly unique is not just its mission — but how it operates. Unlike many government bodies that reflect the ideology of the current administration, USCIRF is structured to ensure ideological balance . Its nine commissioners are appointed by both major political parties across the White House and Congress, ensuring continuity and legitimacy regardless of which party holds power.

This structure allows USCIRF to maintain consistency in its recommendations and credibility across administrations. Whether it’s condemning the repression of Uyghur Muslims in China, calling attention to the persecution of Christians in North Korea, or advocating for Ahmadiyya Muslims in Pakistan, the commission speaks with a unified voice — even when its members come from different backgrounds and beliefs.

In this article, we take a closer look at the current commissioners of USCIRF — their appointments, professional experiences, and some of the statements made in public forums, statements, and official documents. While their perspectives may differ, their commitment to defending religious freedom remains unwavering.

Because in a world where belief can still be dangerous, having a bipartisan body dedicated to protecting the right to believe — or not believe — freely, is more important than ever.

Commissioners at a Glance

Commissioner Party Affiliation Appointed By Term Expires
Stephen Schneck D President Joe Biden May 2026
Meir Soloveichik R Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell May 2026
Ariela Dubler D Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer May 2026
Mohamed Elsanousi D President Joe Biden May 2026
Maureen Ferguson R House Speaker Mike Johnson May 2026
Vicky Hartzler (Chair) R House Speaker Mike Johnson May 2026
Asif Mahmood (Vice Chair) D House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries May 2026

Profiles with Quotes

Dr. Stephen Schneck

Appointed by then President Joe Biden (D)
Term: May 2023–May 2026

A scholar of politics and religion, Dr. Stephen Schneck has long focused on the moral dimensions of public life. He previously served as a commissioner under President Obama and returned under President Biden.

“Religious freedom is not only a core U.S. foreign policy objective but also a fundamental human right that must be protected universally.”

USCIRF 2024 Annual Report – Executive Summary

Rabbi Dr. Meir Soloveichik

Appointed by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY)
Term: May 2023–May 2026

A leading voice in Jewish thought, Rabbi Soloveichik is director of the Straus Center for Torah and Western Thought at Yeshiva University and rabbi of Congregation Shearith Israel in New York City.

“When any faith community is silenced, all of us lose something essential to the human spirit.”

Remarks at USCIRF Roundtable on Middle East Persecution, January 30, 2024

Ariela Dubler

Appointed by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY)
Term: May 2023–May 2026

An expert in constitutional law, Dubler teaches at the University of Virginia School of Law. Her appointment brings legal analysis to the commission’s work.

Dr. Mohamed Elsanousi

Appointed by then President Joe Biden (D)
Term: May 2023–May 2026

A specialist in interfaith conflict resolution, Elsanousi has worked extensively with international peacebuilding organizations and focuses on communities affected by violence and persecution.

“Peace cannot exist where belief is punished. Religious freedom is the foundation of sustainable peace.”

Keynote Address at Interfaith Peacebuilders Summit, October 19, 2023

Maureen Ferguson

Appointed by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA)
Term: May 2023–May 2026

Ferguson is a senior policy analyst at the Catholic Association and has been active in domestic religious liberty issues.

“Persecution abroad and pressure on faith at home are two sides of the same coin — both demand our vigilance.”

Panel Discussion at Heritage Foundation, November 15, 2023

Vicky Hartzler (Chair)

Appointed by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA)
Term: May 2023–May 2026

Former U.S. Representative Vicky Hartzler (R-MO) brings legislative experience and a strong record on defense and religious liberty to her leadership role.

“As Chair of USCIRF, I will not stop sounding the alarm until persecuted communities know they are not forgotten.”

Press Release, USCIRF, February 28, 2024

Asif Mahmood (Vice Chair)

Appointed by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY)
Term: May 2023–May 2026

Mahmood is a corporate attorney and advocate for interfaith engagement. He has worked with Muslim-American communities and promotes inclusion in policymaking.

“Religious freedom means protecting not just what you believe, but who you are allowed to be.”

Speech at Islamic Society of North America Conference, August 2, 2024

Conclusion: Unity Through Principle

Despite differing perspectives and political affiliations, the current members of USCIRF share a common conviction: that religious freedom is a cornerstone of human dignity. Their collective efforts reinforce the idea that this right must be defended across borders, ideologies, and faith traditions.

In a world where repression of belief continues to rise, USCIRF serves not only as a watchdog but also as a reminder that consensus on core values is still possible — even in divided times.

#USCIRF, #ReligiousFreedom, #Bipartisanship, #HumanRights, #InternationalPolicy

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ECB appoints Thomas Vlassopoulos as Director General Market Infrastructure and Payments

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ECB appoints Thomas Vlassopoulos as Director General Market Infrastructure and Payments


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Sudan emergency: We need more help to prevent famine, says WFP

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Sudan emergency: We need more help to prevent famine, says WFP

“Over the past six months, WFP scaled up assistance and we are now reaching nearly one million Sudanese in Khartoum with food and nutrition support,” said Laurent Bukera, WFP Country Director in Sudan. “This momentum must continue; several areas in the south are at risk of famine.”

In an update from Port Sudan, Mr. Bukera reported that a mission to Khartoum had found many neighbourhoods abandoned, heavily damaged and akin to a “ghost city”.

Pressure on overstretched resources will only intensify, he insisted.

Fragile frontline communities

And as conflict still rages between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, sparked by a breakdown in transition to civilian rule in 2023, the veteran aid worker also explained that communities on the frontlines were at “breaking point” and unable to support displaced families any longer.

Despite many generous contributions to the UN agency’s work in Sudan, it faces a $500 million shortfall to support emergency food and cash assistance for the coming six months.

The international community must act now by stepping up funding to stop famine in the hardest hit area, and to invest in Sudan’s recovery,” Mr. Bukera insisted.” We must also demand respect for the safety and the protection of the Sudanese people and aid workers.”

No food, water

More than two years of fighting have smashed infrastructure and left communities without basic services, such as clean water.

This – and weeks of heavy rains – have contributed to a deadly cholera outbreak and reports of corpses rotting in the Nile in Omdurman, one of the capital’s three cities.

In an update last week, the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, said that war-related displacement and the spread of cholera have continued to add to needs across Sudan.

“We are deeply concerned and meeting the basic needs, especially food, will be critical and is urgent,” said WFP’s Mr. Bukera. “Urgent action is needed to restore basic services and accelerate recovery through coordinated efforts with local authorities, national NGOs, UN agencies and humanitarian partners.”

This vital work has been prevented by a lack of international support, forcing WFP to reduce the amount and range of relief it can distribute.

“Funding shortfalls are already disrupting some of the assistance we are providing in Khartoum, Blue Nile, Al Jazeera and Sennar states,” the WFP senior official continued. “Our rations and the oil and the pulses in the food basket had to be removed due to lack of resources.”

Rations cuts

In Khartoum, lifesaving nutritional supplements for young children and pregnant and nursing mothers are already “out of reach” because of a lack of resources, he said.

Despite the many challenges, the UN agency now reaches four million people a month across Sudan. This is nearly four times more than at the start of 2024 as access has expanded, including in previously unreachable areas like Khartoum.

Communities are also supported in the longer-term via cash assistance to support local markets and support for bakeries and small businesses planning to reopen.

We have rapidly scaled up our operation to meet increasing needs,” Mr. Bukera said. “We are aiming to reach seven people on a monthly basis, prioritizing those facing famine or other areas at extreme risk”, such as Darfur, Kordofan and Al Jazeera.

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EU deal struck on detergents to make them less harmful and safer to use

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EU deal struck on detergents to make them less harmful and safer to use

The Council and European Parliament have struck a deal on detergents that will make them safer to use and cause less harm to the environment. It will improve their biodegradability, enable the reduction of harmful substances and improve information on the label, without extra red tape.

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A giant bankruptcy "dry run" to assess Europe's banking crisis management

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Ukraine/Russia: press remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas at the joint press conference on the 18th package of sanctions against Russia

The Single Resolution Board (SRB) will simulate the collapse of a major bank in the coming days to test crisis management systems. This exercise, conducted with American and British partners, aims to strengthen authorities’ responsiveness.

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