This is the News in Brief from the United Nations.
Afghanistan: women’s liberty a red line, says UN rights chief Bachelet
UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet led calls on Tuesday for Afghanistan’s new Taliban leaders to respect the rights of all Afghans, with the treatment of women and girls “a fundamental red line”.
Speaking at an emergency session at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, a little over a week since the Taliban swept to power, Ms. Bachelet detailed credible reports of violations against civilians in areas under their control.
This was why the Human Rights Council should establish a dedicated mechanism to monitor the Taliban's “implementation of its promises”, she maintained:
“A fundamental red line will be the Taliban's treatment of women and girls, and respect for their rights to liberty, freedom of movement, education, self-expression and employment, guided by international human rights norms. In particular, ensuring access to quality secondary education for girls will be an essential indicator of commitment to human rights.”
Ahead of a vote on a draft Council resolution calling for accountability for rights abuses in Afghanistan, the country’s representative told Member States that millions feared for their lives, while a humanitarian crisis was unfolding.
Shelter needs soar for displaced in Yemen’s Marib region
In Yemen, basic humanitarian needs have soared among displaced communities as fighting continues in northern Marib governorate.
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said on Tuesday that settlements hosting nearly 190,000 people are now beyond capacity.
Conditions are “deplorable” after damage by recent floods and fires caused by open-fire cooking, said UNHCR spokesperson Aikaterini Kitidi:
“Clean water, latrines, electricity and health facilities are in short supply. Only 21 per cent of residents are reachable by aid organizations due to the prevailing insecurity, as these families were displaced in the vicinity of active frontlines. UNHCR is calling on all parties to the conflict to ensure unimpeded access to the settlements to guarantee the safe delivery of lifesaving assistance.”
According to the UN agency, close to 24,000 people have been uprooted by armed clashes, shelling, and airstrikes in Marib governorate since the beginning of the year.
The region already hosts a quarter of Yemen’s four million internally displaced people who have sought safety in urban centres and about 150 informal settlements.
Rights experts condemn Cambodia’s crackdown on freedom activists
To Cambodia now, where the conviction of a prominent human rights defender and two of his supporters by a court in the country has been condemned by UN-appointed human rights experts.
Trade union leader Rong Chhun was sentenced to two years in prison last week over comments he made on Facebook about alleged community land loss and forced evictions along Cambodia's border with Vietnam.
Two demonstrators who called for his release a year ago also received sentences of 20 months, said Special Rapporteur on Cambodia, Vitit Muntarbhorn, in a joint statement supported by three other experts who report to the Human Rights Council.
The rights experts said that they were “seriously concerned” that the Cambodian government was continuing to use vaguely-worded laws to suppress dissent and stifle free expression.
Over the last year, Mr. Muntarbhorn said that concerns had been raised repeatedly with the Cambodian Government about threats against 25 human rights defenders, who have reportedly been subjected to intimidation, violence, or detention.
Katy Dartford, UN News.
