World News in Brief: UN Support Office in Haiti, Goodwill Ambassador Theo James in Syria, urgent appeal for millions in DR Congo

The office established through a resolution in September, will provide support to the new Gang Suppression Force and the UN political mission in the country (BINUH). The Spokesperson’s updates included that Stephen McOwan has been selected as interim director of the office and he joined some 37 staff members already up and running in Port-au-Prince over […]

UN rights office worried over escalation in Gaza City, annexation plans for West Bank

UN rights office worried over escalation in Gaza City, annexation plans for West Bank

Ajith Sunghay, Head of OHCHR’s Office in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), told UN News that the escalation has caused extensive destruction to residential buildings in southern parts of North Gaza governorate and in northeastern areas of Gaza City. This has led to further civilian casualties and forced displacement.  Local health authorities reported that 816 […]

Amid ongoing Israeli attacks, ‘the systematic destruction of Gaza City is already underway’: UN rights office

Amid ongoing Israeli attacks, ‘the systematic destruction of Gaza City is already underway’: UN rights office

Recent attacks have been particularly devastating in the Az Zaytoun neighbourhood, where airstrikes, artillery shelling and gunfire are continuous and intense, causing a high number of civilian casualties and the large-scale destruction of residential buildings and public facilities, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, in the Occupied Palestinian Territory said in a statement. Since 8 […]

UN rights office urges restraint in Kenya as fresh protests turn deadly

UN rights office urges restraint in Kenya as fresh protests turn deadly

Office spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani cited Kenyan police reports of at least 11 deaths, 52 injured police officers, and 567 arrests. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights reported slightly different figures: at least 10 fatalities, 29 injuries, 37 arrests, and two abductions. Protests erupted in 16 counties, with police reportedly using live ammunition, rubber bullets, […]

UN rights office sounds the alarm over forced displacement in the West Bank

UN rights office sounds the alarm over forced displacement in the West Bank

Israeli authorities have stepped up measures to transfer large numbers of people from long-standing Palestinian towns and communities, according to OHCHR’s office in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. On 18 June, the High Planning Council in the Israeli Civil Administration issued a directive to reject all building and planning permits submitted by Palestinians in Masafer Yatta, […]

Gaza: Over 400 Palestinians killed around private aid hubs, UN rights office says

Gaza: Over 400 Palestinians killed around private aid hubs, UN rights office says

The alert comes nearly a month since the Israeli and US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) started operating on 27 May in select hubs, bypassing the UN and other established NGOs. Its food distribution points have been associated frequently with confusion and shooting as desperate and hungry Gazans rush to fetch supplies, said UN human rights office spokesperson […]

Civilian deaths in conflict are surging, warns UN human rights office

Civilian deaths in conflict are surging, warns UN human rights office

At least 48,384 individuals – mostly civilians – were killed in 2024, based on casualties recorded by OHCHR. “Behind every statistic is a story. Behind every data point, a person,” said UN rights chief Volker Türk. This alarming rise in civilian deaths exposes major failures to protect some of the most vulnerable in both peacetime and […]

UN rights office ‘horrified’ by deadly violence at Gaza food distribution sites

UN rights office ‘horrified’ by deadly violence at Gaza food distribution sites

The UN human rights office (OHCHR) in the Occupied Palestinian Territory on Wednesday called on the Israeli military to cease the use of lethal force near aid convoys and food distribution sites. It cited “repeated incidents” of Palestinians being shot or shelled while seeking food, warning that such attacks could constitute war crimes under international […]

Iran-Israel crisis: UN rights office appeals for urgent de-escalation

Iran-Israel crisis: UN rights office appeals for urgent de-escalation

Israel began targeting nuclear and military sites across Iran last Friday, prompting a barrage of retaliatory strikes on Israeli cities. “The UN human rights office urges de-escalation and urgent diplomatic negotiations to end these attacks and find a way forward,” said Ms. Al-Nashif. “We are following closely and are aware of reports that many thousands […]

End senseless killings in the West Bank: UN rights office

End senseless killings in the West Bank: UN rights office

OHCHR has urged Israel to stop all extrajudicial executions and other unlawful use of force and ensure all those responsible are brought to justice. Over the last two weeks, Israeli security forces killed two Palestinian men in planned summary executions, while seven others were killed in conditions that raise concerns over the use of unnecessary […]

UN aid office denounces attacks on Gaza hospital

UN aid office denounces attacks on Gaza hospital

OCHA reported that hostilities intensified overnight, with an attack by Israeli forces on the European Gaza Hospital in Khan Younis which killed and injured several people.  A team from the World Health Organization (WHO) was also inside the hospital at the time. The hospital premises were hit again on Wednesday morning, reportedly leading to additional […]