This is the News in Brief from the United Nations
UN chief extends condolences to families of China landslide casualties
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has extended his condolences to the families of those killed in Sunday’s landslides in the southern Chinese province of Guizhou, following heavy rains.
In a statement released on Sunday, Mr. Guterres said that he was “saddened by the loss of life and destruction of property caused by the landslides”.
According to media reports, at least 36 are believed to have died in the landslides, which occurred on Tuesday, in a village in Shuicheng County.
Mr. Guterres went on to commend the search and rescue operations being conducted by the Government of China, as the rains continue to fall, and offered the assistance of the United Nations, if needed, to assist in these efforts.
‘Terrible massacre’ in north-east Nigeria condemned by head of UN refugee agency
The killing of some 65 people by suspected Boko Haram terrorists in north-east Nigeria, has been condemned by Filippo Grandi, head of the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, as a ‘terrible massacre’.
In a Tweet published on Sunday, Mr. Grandi wrote that “grave insecurity continues to devastate civilian lives in the region including more than two million displaced people and refugees”.
According to media reports, gunmen opened fire on a funeral at a village near Maidaguri, the capital of Borno state, killing several immediately, while others died trying to chase away the attackers.
Militants from groups such as Boko Haram have contributed to a decade-long humanitarian crisis in Borno. Civilians have borne the brunt of a conflict that has led to widespread forced displacement and human rights violations.
Scouts encouraged to be human rights defenders at international jamboree
And finally, more than forty thousand members of the scouting movement are being encouraged to stand up for human rights, at the twenty-fourth world Scout Jamboree, currently underway at an adventure camp in West Virginia, in the United States.
The jamboree brings together scouts from around the world to promote peace and mutual understanding and develop leadership and life skills.
This year, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, has told scouts that young people are at the forefront of human rights defence, and encouraged them to continue that commitment.
Ms. Bachelet’s Office is one of the global partners for the Jamboree and is supporting discussions for scouts on how promoting human rights and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Ana Carmo, UN News.
