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News in Brief 30 December 2022

News in Brief 30 December 2022

This is the News in Brief from the United Nations. 

UN chief calls for ‘maximum restraint’ in Bolivia  

Amid rising tensions in Bolivia, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for calm and ‘maximum restraint’. 

The UN chief’s appeal followed the sentencing of opposition leader and La Paz Governor Luis Fernando Camacho to four months of pre-trial detention. 

His sentence was delivered after his arrest in connection with social unrest in 2019 that saw former President Evo Morales flee the country. 

In a statement, a spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General said that he was concerned about the situation and had stressed the importance of the rule of law and due process and transparency in legal proceedings. 

UN Rights chief appeals to save Myanmar refugees 

Days after the latest sea rescue of Rohingya refugees by Indonesian fishing crews, UN human rights chief Volker Türk appealed on Friday for greater regional support to protect them. 

More than 200 Rohingya – who fled military persecution in Myanmar in 2017 –have died trying to cross the Andaman Sea from Bangladesh this year, Mr. Türk said. 

He added that the boats used to make these crossings are unsafe and overcrowded, and passengers are left adrift for days without help. 

More than 2,400 Rohingya have attempted the sea journey in 2022, and with no sign of the crisis ending, the UN rights chief urged more countries to assist in keeping them safe. 

Specifically, Mr. Türk urged them to coordinate proactive search and rescue operations, disembark Rohingya refugees on their territories and ensure their protection. 

The High Commissioner for Human Rights also called on countries in the region and globally to help Bangladesh support the over one million Rohingya refugees who have sought protection there since 2017. 

“An urgent solution must be found to enable the voluntary return of all Rohingya, with full respect of their dignity and human rights as full and equal citizens of Myanmar”, Mr. Türk said.  

Ethiopia: Nationwide measles vaccination campaign  

To Ethiopia, where UN agencies and partners are working with the authorities on a nationwide measles vaccination campaign that’s aiming to reach more than 15 million children. 

Announcing the news on Friday, the World Health Organization, WHO, said that it has already begun contacting communities to ensure that the operation runs smoothly. 

Measles, which is preventable, remains a major health problem in Ethiopia, with several outbreaks reported in different parts of the country, the UN health agency said. 

Vaccinations are planned for a total of 15.5 million youngsters aged nine to 59 months across the nation, including in hard-to-reach places affected by drought and conflict. 

In addition, and together with the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, the WHO is supporting a range of other lifesaving services. 

These include COVID-19 jabs and catch-up immunizations for under-vaccinated children, screening for acute malnutrition, vitamin A drops and deworming against intestinal parasites. 

Medical workers also plan to help women with obstetric fistula following childbirth and identifying clubfoot in children. 

Daniel Johnson, UN News. 

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  • UN chief calls for ‘maximum restraint’ in Bolivia 

  • UN Rights chief appeals to save Myanmar refugees

  • Ethiopia: Nationwide measles vaccination campaign  

Audio Credit
Daniel Johnson, UN News
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3'11"
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UNHCR/Andrew McConnell