In an appeal for help, the World Food Programme WFPsaid the lives of more than 27 million people, from Lesotho to Zimbabwe, have been devastated, leaving 21 million children malnourished.
A record number of five countries have declared a national disaster due to the drought and asked for international help: Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe – but Angola and Mozambique have also been hit hard.
Hunger is likely to increase
For many communities, this is the worst food crisis in decades, WFP spokesperson Tomson Phiri said: “What makes it worse is that October is just the beginning of the lean season, the peak of the hunger season is January, so things will get even worse. before they get better.”
Mr Phiri explained that crops have failed, livestock have died and children are fortunate to receive even one meal a day, in the worst affected households.
To help, the UN agency needs $369 million, but has received only 20 percent of that amount.
The human rights chief calls for respect for ‘fundamental freedoms’ in Tunisia
UN human rights chief Volker Türk is calling on Tunisian authorities to protect the democratic process and “uphold fundamental freedoms after a presidential campaign marred by a crackdown on the opposition, independent activists and journalists,” his spokesperson Liz Throssell said on Friday to journalists in Geneva. .
In the weeks leading up to the Oct. 6 election, 100 potential candidates, members of their campaigns and other political figures were arrested on a variety of charges ranging from falsifying election papers to national security charges, she said.
Of 17 potential candidates, the Independent High Authority for Elections has accepted only three, while some presidential candidates have been arrested and given long prison sentences on various charges.
No respect for a fair trial
“Such cases are disturbing. Their processes demonstrate a lack of respect for due process and due process guarantees,” Ms Throssell said.
In another case over the development, election authorities on September 2 refused to apply an Administrative Court ruling to readmit three excluded candidates.
Just days before the elections, Tunisian lawmakers passed a law during an extraordinary session that removes election disputes from the court’s jurisdiction.
“The rejection of a legally binding judicial decision is at odds with fundamental respect for the rule of law,” Ms Throssell stressed. This development does not fall within a broader context of increasing pressure on civil society.
“We strongly urge Tunisia to recommit to transitional justice in the interests of victims, and to implement much-needed rule of law reforms, in accordance with international human rights law, including with regard to the freedom of expression, assembly and association.” said, calling for the release of all those arbitrarily detained.
Attacks by Pakistani miners condemned
The UN Human Rights Office, OHCHR, has condemned the killing of twenty miners and the wounding of seven others in Pakistan’s Balochistan province last Friday. The attacks were reportedly orchestrated by armed elements using hand grenades and rocket launchers.
“This follows several similar attacks in recent months, which appear aimed at fueling ethnic tensions and insecurity in the province,” said OHCHR spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan.
Mr Al-Kheetan called on the authorities to hold the perpetrators to account, “in accordance with Pakistan’s international human rights obligations”, he stressed.
Concerns about the ban
He also expressed concern over the recent ban on the Pashtun Tahaffuz movement under anti-terrorism legislation.
“We call for an immediate review of this measure, in accordance with international law, to ensure respect for freedom of expression and association and for the release of those members arbitrarily held in administrative detention,” he said.
“We encourage the Pakistani authorities to continue addressing the grievances of ethnic minorities through political dialogue,” Mr Al-Kheetan concluded, calling for greater protection of human rights defenders.