This is the News in Brief, from the United Nations.
Yemen prisoner release boosts hopes of peace at last for war-weary civilians
Hopes for a possible end to the war in Yemen are growing slightly, following news that nearly 300 detainees have been released as a gesture of goodwill by Houthi forces, pitted against the Government of Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi.
Welcoming the development, UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, said he hoped that it would lead to both sides meeting at “the nearest opportunity” to resume the discussions on a future exchange, as per the UN-led deal signed by their representatives in the Swedish capital last December.
Describing the release of conflict-related prisoners as a “unilateral” move by Ansar Allah - the official name of the Houthis - Mr. Griffiths said he hoped that the move “will lead to further initiatives that will facilitate the exchange of all the conflict-related detainees, as per the Stockholm Agreement.”
First group of vulnerable refugees evacuated from Libya to Rwanda
A group of 66 vulnerable refugees have been successfully evacuated from Libya to Rwanda, the UN’s support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) announced on Sunday, making the group the first to benefit from the recently-implemented Emergency Transit Mechanism.
After landing at Kigali International Airport on Thursday morning, all were granted asylum-seeker status, pending assessment of their refugee claims by the UN’s refugee wing (UNHCR).
In total, 26 of the evacuees were children, nearly all unaccompanied, hailing from Sudan, Somalia and Eritrea. One of the youngsters had not been outside a detention centre for more than four years.
A team of care professionals will work alongside counselors to assess the refugees’ mental and physical health needs. Further solutions will include resettlement for some, integration into local Rwandan host communities, or safe and voluntary return to their home countries.
A second evacuation operation is expected to take place in the coming weeks. UNHCR estimates that $10 million will be spent on initial evacuation investments and running the Libya-Rwanda Emergency Transit Mechanism through the end of the year.
International Day recognizes pivotal role of multilingualism for peace
The world is paying tribute to the work of language professionals, who play a vital role in all international relations and dialogue for peace, on International Translation Day, observed 30 September.
Transposition of a literary or scientific work between languages, and interpretation are indispensable to preserving clarity and productivity in international relations and interpersonal communication, the UN says.
Multilingualism, a UN “core value”, “helps guarantee the effectiveness of our multilateral system”, Secretary-General António Guterres has said.
The UN is one of the world’s largest employers of language professionals, employing several hundred language staff between New York, Geneva, Vienna, Nairobi and other regional commissions.
Translators handle materials from statements by Member States, to expert reports, covering subjects spanning the entire UN agenda from human rights, to peace and security and development.
Natalie Hutchison, UN News.
