The Security Council on Monday renewed the mandate of the UN mission in Yemen’s key port city of Hudaydah, as regional tensions spike and international concern mounts over recent Houthi rebel attacks on shipping in the Red Sea.
The Security Council on Monday renewed the mandate of the UN mission in Yemen’s key port city of Hudaydah, as regional tensions spike and international concern mounts over recent Houthi rebel attacks on shipping in the Red Sea.
The head of UN child rights agency UNICEF has called for Israel to review its rules of engagement in Gaza after seven children were killed while waiting for water at a distribution point.
Clashes on Sunday between Sunni Bedouin tribal fighters and Druze militia have reportedly left at least 30 dead in Syria’s predominantly-Druze city of Sweida.
Amid runaway gang violence and crumbling state authority, the Security Council on Monday unanimously extended the mandate of the UN’s political mission in Haiti until the end of the year, amid escalating gang violence, political paralysis and a deepening humanitarian crisis threatening the country’s collapse.
The fuel crisis in Gaza has reached a breaking point, threatening to bring all humanitarian operations to a halt and endangering the lives of everyone reliant on aid inside the enclave, UN agencies warned in a powerful joint statement on Saturday.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Survivors, families of victims and distinguished guests,
It is an honour to join you today, on behalf of the United Nations Secretary-General, in solemn remembrance of the victims of the genocide in Srebrenica.
As we mark the United Nations International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica, we stand in grief with survivors and families. We pay tribute to their strength, dignity and enduring pursuit of justice.
The genocide in Srebrenica remains one of the darkest chapters in Europe’s recent history – a stark reminder of the consequences of hatred, division and the failure to protect civilians.
As the Secretary-General stated at the General Assembly commemoration on 8 July: “We acknowledge hard truths. Thirty years ago, the United Nations and the world failed the people of Srebrenica. This collective failure was not an accident of history. It was the result of policies, propaganda and international indifference.”
The pain of Srebrenica is still deeply felt. Recognition of the facts as established by courts of law, acknowledgment of victims’ suffering, and accountability for the crimes committed are essential for building mutual understanding, trust, and lasting peace – and for preventing future atrocity crimes.
Denial of genocide and historical revisionism harm survivors and erode the foundations of peace and justice.
As we commemorate the victims, we also acknowledge the suffering of all innocent civilians during the conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Rebuilding trust is a long road – one that begins with remembrance.
We urge all political leaders to seize this moment to address the legacy of the past with dialogue, responsibility and a commitment to fostering an environment of respect and inclusion, laying the foundations for a stable and democratic society for everyone in this beautiful country.
The United Nations remains steadfast in its support for the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina in their efforts to build a peaceful, just and inclusive society.
The legacy of Srebrenica must be a world that never again turns away in the face of atrocity.
Thank you.
Between October 2024 and June this year, Haiti has been caught in a vicious and unending cycle. First, gang violence expanded westward into the Artibonite and Centre Departments.
The UN Secretary-General issued a statement on Friday condemning the latest Houthi rebel attacks on shipping in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen.
Following the deaths of several children in an Israeli strike on Palestinians waiting in line for nutritional supplements in central Gaza on Thursday, UN humanitarian officials have once again condemned the killings of people at aid distribution sites in the enclave.
The head of the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has voiced deep dismay over the “unconscionable” killing of children during an aid distribution in the central Gaza Strip on Thursday.
UN agencies on Thursday warned of devastating recent attacks across Ukraine due to Russian strikes, record civilian casualties recorded last month – and growing deprivation facing children under fire across the country.
Systematic rape and sexual violence are being used as weapons of war in Darfur, the International Criminal Court (ICC) warned on Thursday, as part of a widening investigation into what its Deputy Prosecutor said are escalating atrocities against civilians in the conflict-ridden region.
At Hanna Honcharenko’s bakery in Dnipro, eastern Ukraine, the scent of freshly baked bread represents a slice of home for many. The business, born out of hardship, is proof that with trust and support it is possible start again following the loss brought on by war.
As scores of people – including medical staff and their families – have reportedly been killed in the past week, UN health partners in Gaza continue to provide emergency care despite very limited resources.
With Libya once again teetering on the brink of violence, the United Nations has issued an urgent appeal for calm amid rising military tensions in and around the capital, Tripoli.
Yemen continues to face a dire humanitarian crisis, driven by acute hunger, economic collapse, and regional instability, senior UN officials told the Security Council on Wednesday.
As relentless attacks continue to damage homes and communities across Ukraine, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) has now helped repair over 40,000 war-damaged homes – marking a major step in helping displaced families return and recover.
UN humanitarians on Monday sounded the alarm over the worsening conditions in Sudan, as violence continues, and food and water remain at critically low levels.
The UN General Assembly on Monday overwhelmingly adopted a resolution expressing deep concern over Afghanistan’s deteriorating humanitarian, economic and human rights conditions, urging the Taliban to reverse repressive policies and ensure inclusive governance.
The UN Secretary-General on Saturday strongly condemned Russia’s latest wave of drone and missile attacks in Ukraine – reportedly the largest in over three years of war – warning that the strikes again jeopardised nuclear safety at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The UN Secretary-General is “appalled” by the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, as civilians face yet another wave of mass displacement with few safe places to go.
Mr President, allow me to extend my congratulations to Pakistan on assuming the Presidency of the Security Council for the month of July.
Distinguished members of this Council, I thank you for the opportunity to provide this briefing on Haiti.
I would like to begin by expressing our gratitude to Maria Isabel Salvador, whose term as Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) concluded this week.
Since my last visit to Haiti in January to engage in consultations with authorities on the Secretary-General’s recommendations, we have continued to witness a sharp erosion of state authority and the rule of law. Brutal gang violence affects every aspect of public and private life. During my visit, I was struck by the profound transformation of Port-au-Prince. The capital city was for all intents and purposes paralyzed by gangs and isolated as a result of the ongoing suspension of international commercial flights into the Toussaint Louverture international airport. Since then, gangs have only strengthened their foothold, which now affects all communes of the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area and beyond, pushing the situation closer to the brink. Without increased action by the international community, the total collapse of state presence in the capital could become a very real scenario.
Haitian-led efforts to advance the political process have made progress. The Provisional Electoral Council, with support from BINUH and other UN partners, has continued preparations to complete the constitutional review and hold elections within the timeline set by the April 2024 agreement. The recent adoption of the decree regulating the constitutional referendum as well as the adoption of the new Penal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure, are welcome developments. However, clear divergences among stakeholders are apparent regarding the feasibility of holding a constitutional referendum and elections by February 2026–particularly concerning the need to establish a climate of security and trust for those elections to take place. Any delays or efforts to undermine the political transition reaching the 7 February 2026 deadline for the installation of a newly elected executive and parliament would be worrisome. Haiti cannot afford a drift in the political transition.
In supporting the political process, BINUH promoted broader and more inclusive participation in the political transition, including of women and youth, through supporting civil society dialogue on transition priorities, including security, economic recovery, reforms and elections.
We welcome the support and momentum generated by the regional member states and organizations for decisive action to advance the current political transition and prevent the spread of insecurity and criminality. Last week, Haiti was a key topic of discussion at the General Assembly of the Organization of American States in Antigua and Barbuda. The adoption of the OAS resolution on Haiti is encouraging and reflects the region’s commitment to supporting international efforts and strengthening existing entities and platforms already in place, namely the MSS. We look forward to stronger collaboration with the OAS and to the action plan on Haiti to be submitted by its Secretary General.
In addition, the Caribbean Community’s ongoing efforts, notably through the Eminent Persons Group, to foster dialogue and collaboration among Haitian stakeholders have proven instrumental in advancing the country’s transition towards the restoration of the rule of law and of democratic institutions.
Mr. President, Excellencies,
It remains clear that sustained political progress will only be achieved through concerted efforts to address and significantly improve the security environment. While Port-au-Prince remains the epicentre of gang violence, major attacks in Artibonite and Center departments, particularly in Mirebalais, demonstrate the growing capacity and intent of gangs to expand their reach into northern departments. The commune of La Chapelle in lower Artibonite department is the latest to fall under gang control following an assault by gang members on 22 June, which displaced at least 8,890 residents. The ransacking of the local police substation illustrates the intent to systematically undermine state authority and prevent any efforts to re-establish law and order.
The brutality and scale of the violence that continues to be committed against communities by armed gangs is plunging the country into even deeper suffering and trauma. This year alone BINUH recorded 4,026 victims of intentional homicide, including 376 women, 21 girls, and 68 boys. This represents a 24 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, the number of people internally displaced by gang violence has now reached 1.3 million, another tragic record number. Widespread impunity for atrocities continues. In April, a gang attack in Petite-Rivière resulted in 57 people killed, four abducted, over 16,000 people displaced, and approximately 80 homes set on fire.
Amidst increasing public frustration with the limited protection capacity of the state, "vigilante" or self-defence groups are gaining in popular appeal. Although these groups often serve as the last remaining security mechanisms in many areas, they violate fundamental human rights, including the right to life and right to a fair trial, and simultaneously fuel further violence in the form of retaliatory attacks by gangs. Over the last three months, these groups reportedly killed at least 100 men, and one woman suspected of gang association or collaboration.
Communities remain extremely vulnerable to gang violence, which continues to have disproportionate impact on women and girls. The past three months marked an increase in sexual violence committed by gangs, used deliberately to instil fear and assert control over communities. Despite persistent under-reporting of sexual violence due to fear of reprisals, social stigma and lack of trust in institutions, from March to April BINUH documented 364 incidents involving 378 survivors. BINUH continues to support the Haitian National Police in strengthening capacities to investigate sexual violence and provide integrated support to survivors. It is critical that authorities take concrete action against the current state of impunity of these heinous crimes.
Distinguished delegates,
On 26 June, the Multinational Security Support mission led by Kenya marked one year since its first contingents arrived in Haiti. We extend our gratitude to Kenya for its continued commitment to leading the MSS and we offer our deepest sympathy for the loss of two MSS police officers in the line of duty. Despite their best efforts, the MSS and Haitian National Police have been unable to make headway in restoring state authority and, without additional security support from the international community, the outlook is bleak. Additional voluntary contributions to the MSS Trust Fund are needed to sustain the mission and ensure the achievement of its objectives. The Secretary-General’s recommendations within his letter of 24 February proposing to establish a UN support office to provide logistic and operational support for the MSS are a realistic and practical proposal to address Haiti’s immediate security needs. International action cannot come soon enough to ensure the gains made so far are not squandered. In this respect, I welcomed the Council’s discussion earlier this week and wish to recall that the Secretary-General’s recommendations offer an immediate solution—one that does not exclude medium- and long-term options. But it needs to be the starting point. Once a strengthened MSS has provided sufficient support to the Haitian security institutions, a stabilization phase can follow.
When BINUH, was established in 2019, it was not designed to operate in the kind of hostile environment we are facing today. Yet it has remained on the ground without interruption—despite a temporary reduction in international staff. That reduction reflects the limited options for evacuation, with just a single UNHAS helicopter currently available, due to the suspension of commercial flights and the ongoing gang encirclement of Port-au-Prince. Consequently, and as outlined in the Secretary-General’s letter to the Council yesterday, the Secretariat, in coordination with BINUH, has undertaken a review of BINUH’s Mission Concept with the objective to have a reconfigured BINUH— more focused, smaller, yet more impactful— that can sustain its international staff and personnel working from Port-au-Prince amid the security crisis. The additional resources needed for enhanced security and evacuation capabilities, to be included in the budget for 2026, would be offset by savings from a reduced footprint. We remain committed to aligning BINUH’s overall budget with UN80 Revised Estimates.
Excellencies,
We must not fail Haiti at this critical moment. Let us act now. The options we have on the table now will be considerably less costly and complex than if there is a total collapse of state presence. There is not a moment to lose. The United Nations continues to stand in solidarity with the people of Haiti who deserve to live in dignity and free from the threat of violence.
I thank you.
A key water reservoir serving Khan Younis in southern Gaza has become inaccessible following new Israeli displacement orders, sparking fears of a collapse in the city’s water distribution network and worsening already dire humanitarian conditions, the United Nations warned on Wednesday.
The UN’s top human rights official on Wednesday expressed grave alarm that six European countries are either in the process of or are considering withdrawing from the international treaty prohibiting anti-personnel mines.
More than 1.3 million people have been displaced in Haiti as surging gang violence, lawlessness, and impunity expose the population – especially women and girls – to heightened risks of exploitation and sexual violence.
UN humanitarians on Tuesday sounded the alarm over worsening humanitarian conditions in Sudan, as escalating violence continues to displace civilians and the rising risk of severe flooding during the current rainy season.
Conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa in the last two years reportedly killed, maimed, or displaced over 12 million children across the region, according to the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
The United Nations on Tuesday reported that humanitarian operations in Gaza are facing escalating strain, as ongoing fuel shortages, access restrictions and military activity continue to undermine aid delivery and essential services.
In January 2020, the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs launched the Innovation Cell, an interdisciplinary team dedicated to helping the Department and its field presences to understand and explore, pilot, and scale new technologies, tools, and practices in conflict prevention, mediation and peacebuilding. Responding to the Secretary-General’s call on the UN system to accelerate its uptake of innovative methods, the Innovation Cell catalyses innovation in peace and security, while providing a forum for colleagues at UNHQ and in the field to engage collaboratively in human-centred design and problem-solving.
The Cell is part of the UN’s Innovation Network (UNIN) and works to galvanize an ecosystem of technology, civil society, and academic partners outside the UN system on peace and security use cases, thereby leveraging innovation for the shared goal of peace.
Reach out to us at DPPA-Innovation@un.org for questions, comments and ideas.
Visit us at https://www.futuringpeace.org to learn more about the Innovation-related think pieces and approaches.
Follow us at https://medium.com/futuring-peace and https://dppa.medium.com/ for innovation-related think pieces and approaches.
Follow @UN_Innovation to learn what UN entities are doing in the space of innovation.
