This is the News in Brief from the United Nations.

UN rights office denounces ‘inexcusable’ deadly attack in Burkina Faso

The UN human rights office, OHCHR, said it was appalled by the killing of dozens of civilians in the Sahel region of northern Burkina Faso on Sunday.

A large number of fighters from the militant Islamist group JNIM attacked a military base, homes, and a camp for displaced people in the city of Djibo, killing at least 40 people and injuring more than 42 others. 

The attackers also set fire to 20 shops and three sites for displaced people. 

OHCHR Spokesperson Seif Magango said “attacks on civilians are inexcusable and must stop, and those responsible must be held to account following thorough, impartial and independent investigations by the authorities."

He further recalled that “deliberately targeting civilians or individuals not taking direct part in hostilities constitutes a war crime.”

Support communities that ‘light the way to the end of AIDS’ 

AIDS can be ended as a public health threat by 2030 but only if governments and donors fully support grassroots communities on the frontlines of the disease.

That’s the message from UNAIDS in a report released ahead of World AIDS Day on 1 December, which shows how communities have been the driving force for progress.

From the streets to the courtrooms to parliaments, community advocacy has secured groundbreaking changes in policy.

Through campaigning, they have opened up access to generic HIV medicines, thus driving down the cost of treatment from $25,000 a year per person in 1995 to less than $70 in many countries.  

UNAIDS recalled that every minute, a life is lost to AIDS. while 4,000 girls and young women become infected with HIV every week. Out of the nearly 40 million people worldwide living with HIV, more than nine million do not have access to lifesaving treatment.

Although communities across the world have shown that they are ready, willing and able to lead, they must be properly resourced, said UNAIDS chief Winnie Byanyima. 

She said “too often, communities are treated by decision-makers as problems to be managed, instead of being recognised and supported as leaders," adding that "communities are not in the way, they light the way to the end of AIDS."

Olympian Sir Mo Farah new Goodwill Ambassador for UN migration agency

Four-time Olympic champion long distance runner Sir Mo Farah from the United Kingdom has been appointed as the first ever global Goodwill Ambassador for the UN migration agency, IOM.

Mr. Farah, 40, retired from running in September after a long and celebrated career. Last year, he revealed that he had been trafficked as a child from Somalia to the UK.

He told IOM that no child should ever go through what he did, as child trafficking victims “deserve to play and to be kids.”

Mr. Farah plans to use his position to raise awareness of issues affecting “people on the move”, including protection and trafficking. He will also advocate for the transformative power of sport, especially for women and girls.

Dianne Penn, UN News.