This is the News in Brief from the United Nations.

Belarus: Children beaten in detention

The UN Special Representative on Violence against Children has expressed deep concern over numerous allegations of torture, and other ill-treatment of minors detained in Belarus, following the violent post-election crackdown.

In one particularly shocking case a 16-year old boy was allegedly beaten so severely, that he suffered brain injuries, Najat Maalla M’jid said in a statement, on Monday.

The Special Representative spelled out that children should only be detained as a measure of last resort, for the shortest period possible.

She also called on the Government to take all appropriate legislative, administrative, social and educational measures to protect all children without discrimination. 

UN stands with Somalia after terrorist bombing

In Somalia, the UN has strongly condemned Sunday’s terrorist attack, that reportedly killed at least 16 people and left many others injured, at the Elite Hotel in the capital of Mogadishu.

According to reports, Al-Shabaab militants claimed responsibility for the car bombing at the seaside hotel, which was followed by a gun battle between the terrorists and Somali security forces.

The UN Special Representative for Somalia, James Swan called it a “brazen attack” that targeted civilians.

“This savagery has no place in the country being built by Somalis and it merits the strongest condemnation”, he said. 

Virtual Concert to fight COVID, unites Pacific

And finally, to the South Pacific where in a first-of-its-kind concert on Saturday, the UN in the region brought together artists, UN leaders, heads of State and international celebrities to unite in the global fight against COVID-19.

Already among the most remote countries on the planet when the virus struck the Pacific Islands, their economies were hit especially hard, as tourism evaporated, along with international trade disrupted and remittances.

The virtual concert, Pacific Unite: Saving Lives Together, shone a spotlight on the complex impact of the pandemic, including a rise in domestic violence, unemployment, food insecurity, and worsening mental health.

It also reinforced the need to build back better by creating a sustainable Pacific that is resilient to the impacts of climate change. 

Liz Scaffidi, UN News.