UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed concern over reported deaths and injuries in Bangladesh during student protests and called for a thorough government investigation into all violent acts.
About two weeks ago, student protests broke out on university campuses in the capital Dhaka and other cities, demanding an end to the government’s quota system amid rising unemployment. News reports indicate that more than a dozen people have died in the protests.
Violence ‘never a solution’
The UN is calling on both sides to improve communications and negotiate to de-escalate the stalemate.
“Violence is never a solution. The Secretary-General encourages meaningful and constructive participation of young people in building a better world,” UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said during the daily press briefing in New York.
Mr Dujarric told reporters that Secretary-General António Guterresis closely monitoring the situation and is “deeply concerned” about the dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries reported, including violence against journalists reporting on the protests.
“It is important that we see restraint on all sides… The violence will not lead to anything,” Mr Dujarric said.
Every two hours a Yemeni woman dies during pregnancy or childbirth: UNFPA
Despite a lull in Yemen’s nine-year war, a woman dies every two hours during pregnancy or childbirth due to the destruction of health care.
This was reported by the UN agency for sexual and reproductive health. UN-FPAwhich stated that Yemen has a high rate of preventable maternal deaths, with 5.5 million women having no or limited access to reproductive health care.
According to UNFPA, six out of ten births take place without a skilled birth attendant, increasing the risk of complications and death.
On July 10, the Yemeni government announced a 70 percent cut in international funding for the health sector and called on regional and international organizations to provide sustainable support to maintain essential health services.
According to the UN, the war has destroyed most sectors in Yemen, including health care, and has led to one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
The need is enormous: 18.2 million people (more than half the country’s population) are in need of humanitarian assistance and protection.
Build a better world, UN chief urges on Mandela Day
As Nelson Mandela Day kicked off on Thursday, UN chief António Guterres remembered the former South African president and activist for the “extraordinary difference” he made in building a better world.
Mr Guterres said This year’s theme for International Nelson Mandela Day reminds us that ‘the fight against poverty and inequality is in our hands.’
UN Photo/Susan Markisz
“Our world is unequal and divided,” the Secretary-General said. “Hunger and poverty are widespread.”
Mr Guterres said all of humanity was responsible for “planet-destroying greenhouse gases” and urged societies to choose a different path.
“We can choose to eradicate poverty. We can choose to end inequality,” the Secretary-General said.
“Each of us can contribute – through actions big and small,” he said.
Building a better world
Mr Guterres is working with the Nelson Mandela Foundation on the day to encourage people to take part in community service for 67 minutes, one minute for every year the activist has campaigned for justice.
“Let us together honour Madiba’s legacy and work towards a better world for all,” he added.
UN human rights chief highlights calls for better LGBTQI+ protection at EuroGames
UN human rights chief Volker Türk took the opportunity on Thursday of the EuroGames 2024 in Vienna, Europe’s largest LGBTQI+ sporting event, express concern about an increase in violence against the LGBTQI+ community.
The High Commissioner who gives direction OHCHR said the games are important because they provide a safe environment for diversity.
“They welcome and engage so many amazing athletes, challenge stereotypes and empower LGBTIQ+ people to embrace their true selves and participate equally in the sporting world,” he said.
He said the world needs more places like this as discrimination against the LGBTIQ+ community continues.
Setbacks and progress
Mr Türk noted that there has been a decline in human rights and gender equality, citing attempts to ban information about sexual orientation and gender identity.
He went on to say that violence against the LGBTIQ+ community has increased and that less than one in five people feel they can report these attacks appropriately.
However, he cited notable progress, including the decriminalization of consent-based same-sex relationships in parts of Africa, Asia and the Caribbean, the inclusion of human rights policies in the world of sport and more.
“But there is still a long way to go to ensure that human rights are fully respected in sport,” Mr Türk said.
He called on sports governing bodies to show “zero tolerance” for discriminatory policies and to promote human rights. He urged UN member states to “fully and proactively” address the issues affecting the LGBTIQ+ community and prevent further violations.
