This is the News in Brief from the United Nations.

UN rights office in probe call after migrant deaths on Morocco to Spain route

The deaths of at least 23 migrants seeking to reach Spain from Morocco should be investigated urgently by both countries, the UN rights office, OHCHR, said on Tuesday.

The tragedy happened last Friday when African migrants were reportedly “beaten with batons, kicked, shoved, and attacked with stones by Moroccan officials”, in their attempt to scale the barbed-wire fence that separates Morocco from the North African, Spanish city of Melilla.

With more, here’s OHCHR spokesperson, Ravina Shamdasani:

“This is the highest recorded number of deaths in a single incident over many years of migrants attempting to cross from Morocco to Europe via the Spanish enclaves of Melilla and Ceuta. One hundred and forty Moroccan border guards also reportedly sustained injuries.”

The OHCHR official urged Morocco and Spain to ensure that migrants’ human rights were protected at their joint border and, in particular, that border officers refrain from any use of excessive force.

Afghanistan earthquake appeal: UN humanitarians seek $110 million

To Afghanistan, where UN humanitarians have launched an appeal for $110 million to help 362,000 people impacted by the country’s worst earthquake in 20 years.

Latest information from the most heavily impacted communities in Paktika and Khost province indicate that more than 1,000 people were killed, almost 3,000 were injured and at least 360,000 people were affected, when the quake hit last week.

“Based on initial reports, about 4,500 homes were damaged and about 800 families are living out in the open in the worst-affected districts of Barmal, Giyan in Paktika province and Spera in Khost province,” said Dr Luo Dapeng, World Health Organization Representative to Afghanistan.

Dr Dapeng described meeting three-year old Astma from Gayan District in Paktika “who has lost all her family members from the earthquake”. She continues to receive trauma care and treatment for her wounds, added the WHO official, who explained that the toddler was “just one of the many children orphaned by this disaster”.

New push for progress on Libya constitutional talks in Geneva

Fresh UN-led talks to secure a peaceful and democratic future for all Libyans began in Geneva on Tuesday.

The talks have brought together the Leader of Libya’s House of Representatives based in the east of the country, and the Leader of the High State Council, which is based in the west.

Over two days of scheduled meetings, both sides are to continue to review a reformed constitution, with a view to holding delayed elections.

Veteran UN negotiator Stephanie Williams said that she had witnessed “an unprecedented level of cooperation both sides in recent talks and that they had now “reached a critical stage” in their “long and difficult” discussions.

Now is the time for a final push, “to ensure that (an) historic compromise takes place, for the sake of Libya, its people and the credibility of its institutions, Ms. Williams said.

Daniel Johnson, UN News.