NGOs report 'systematic' sexual violence during and after Tigray war
"Such acts constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity of sexual violence, forced pregnancy, sexual enslavement and persecution on the intersection of ethnic, gender, age and political grounds," it said.
"Perpetrators have operated with impunity, victims have been silenced," Lindsey Green, PHR deputy director of research, told AFP.
The organisations called for further investigations to determine whether "crimes of genocide" were committed.
"On the term of genocide, we do not have the data to make that determination, but there was clear intention expressed by perpetrators to decimate the Tigrayan ethnic group and physical injuries consistent with this," said Green.
Break you
The violence was "often perpetrated by individuals who spoke languages or wore uniforms indicating affiliation with the Eritrean military", the report said.
Other perpetrators included members of the Ethiopian army, as well as other groups supporting the government, including armed groups from the neighbouring Amhara region.
Eritrean Information Minister Yemane Ghebremeskel declined to comment on the report when asked by AFP.
An Ethiopian federal army spokesperson and Amhara authorities did not respond to queries.
The report emphasises that women and girls were targeted "specifically because of their ethnic identity as Tigrayan".
It found that 73 percent of healthcare workers had treated patients who said their attackers "had used language indicating intent to destroy their ability to have children", while nearly half said assaults were intended to cause unwanted pregnancies.
Almost 60 percent said they had treated women whose attackers had deliberately attempted to infect them with sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.
"The perpetrators were not motivated by sexual desire but rather by a desire to inflict pain and suffering," a reproductive health coordinator in Tigray told researchers.
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Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Hindustan Times
Israeli troops fire near US-backed Gaza aid sites; at least 10 killed: Report
Israeli forces opened fire near two aid distribution sites run by the Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation as crowds of hungry Palestinians again sought food, killing at least 10 people, witnesses and health workers said Saturday — a day after US officials visited a GHF site and the US ambassador called the troubled system 'an incredible feat.' Despite US-backed aid efforts, famine worsens in Gaza. Over 900 killed near aid routes, supplies looted, and malnutrition deaths rise as families plead for help.(AFP) Nearly a week has passed since Israel, under international pressure amid growing scenes of starving children, announced limited humanitarian pauses and airdrops meant to get more food to Gaza's over 2 million people, who now largely rely on aid after almost 22 months of war. But the United Nations, partners and Palestinians say far too little aid is still coming in, with months' worth of supplies piled up outside Gaza waiting for Israeli approval. Trucks that enter are mostly stripped of supplies by desperate people and criminal groups before reaching warehouses for distribution. Experts this week said a 'worst-case scenario of famine' was occurring in the besieged enclave. On Saturday, Gaza's health ministry said seven more Palestinians had died of malnutrition-related causes over the past 24 hours, including a child. Aid is 'far from sufficient,' Germany's government said via spokesman Stefan Kornelius. Families of the 50 hostages still in Gaza fear they are going hungry too, and blame Hamas, after the militants released images of an emaciated hostage, Evyatar David. Also Read: Israel's big warning to Ali Khamenei: 'Will reach Iran and you personally' More deaths near US-supported GHF sites Near the northernmost GHF distribution site near the Netzarim corridor, Yahia Youssef, who had come to seek aid Saturday morning, described a panicked and grimly familiar scene. After helping carry three people wounded by gunshots, he said he saw others on the ground, bleeding. 'It's the same daily episode,' Youssef said. Health workers said at least eight people were killed. Israel's military said it fired warning shots at a gathering approaching its forces. At least two people were killed in the Shakoush area hundreds of meters (yards) from where the GHF operates another site in the southernmost city of Rafah, witnesses said. Nasser Hospital in nearby Khan Younis received two bodies and many injured. Witness Mohamed Abu Taha said Israeli troops opened fire toward the crowds. He saw three people — two men and a woman — shot as he fled. Israel's military said it was not aware of any fire by its forces in the area. The GHF said nothing happened near its sites. GHF says its armed contractors have only used pepper spray or fired warning shots to prevent deadly crowding. Israel 's military on Friday said it was working to make the routes under its control safer. Israel and GHF have claimed the toll has been exaggerated. The GHF — backed by millions of dollars in US support — launched in May as Israel sought an alternative to the UN-run system, which had safely delivered aid for much of the war but was accused by Israel of allowing Hamas to siphon off supplies. Israel has not offered evidence for that claim and the UN has denied it. From May 27 to July 31, 859 people were killed near GHF sites, according to a United Nations report published Thursday. Hundreds more have been killed along the routes of UN-led food convoys. Hamas-led police once guarded those convoys and went after suspected looters, but Israeli fire targeted the officers. Airdrops by a Jordan-led coalition — Israel, the UAE, Egypt, France, and Germany — are another approach, though experts say the strategy remains deeply inadequate and even dangerous for people on the ground. 'Let's go back to what works & let us do our job," Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, wrote Saturday on social media, calling for more and safer truck deliveries. Airstrikes continue An Israeli strike hit a group of Palestinians trying to secure aid trucks entering northern Gaza from the Israeli-controlled Zikim crossing, killing at least three people, said Fares Awad, head of the health ministry's ambulance and emergency service. Nasser Hospital said it received five bodies after two separate strikes on tents sheltering displaced people in Gaza's south. The health ministry's ambulance and emergency service said an Israeli strike hit a house between the towns of Zawaida and Deir al-Balah, killing two parents and their three children. Another strike hit a tent near a closed prison where the displaced have sheltered in Khan Younis, killing a mother and her daughter. Israel's top general Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir warned that 'combat will continue without rest' if hostages aren't freed. Hostage families push Israel to cut deal US President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, met with hostages' families Saturday, a week after quitting ceasefire talks, blaming Hamas's intransigence. 'I didn't hear anything new from him. I heard that there was pressure from the Americans to end this operation, but we didn't hear anything practical,' said Michel Illouz, father of Israeli hostage Guy Illouz, whose body was taken into Gaza. He said he asked Witkoff to exert pressure and set a time frame but got 'no answers.' Protesters called on Israel's government to make a deal to end the war, imploring them to "stop this nightmare and bring them out of the tunnels' Coming home to ruins In part of Gaza City, displaced people who managed to return home found rubble-strewn neighborhoods unrecognizable. Most Palestinians in Gaza have been displaced, often multiple times, and are crowded into ever-shrinking areas considered safe. 'I don't know what to do. Destruction, destruction," said Mohamed Qeiqa, who stood amid collapsed slabs of concrete and pointed out what had been a five-story building. 'Where will people settle?' The war began when Hamas attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians. Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed more than 60,400 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which doesn't distinguish between militants and civilians but says women and children make up over half the dead. The ministry operates under the Hamas government. The UN and other international organizations see it as the most reliable source of data on casualties. The ministry says 93 children have died from malnutrition-related causes in Gaza since the war began. It said 76 adults have died of malnutrition-related causes since late June, when it started counting adult deaths.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Losing weight without even trying? Here's why that can be dangerous
Why Sudden Weight Loss Is Concerning Conditions Often Linked to Unintentional Weight Loss When to See a Doctor Losing more than 5% of your body weight in six months without trying Persistent fatigue or a noticeable loss of muscle Chronic digestive symptoms Sudden behavioral or mood changes In a culture that often equates thinness with health, rapid weight loss is frequently applauded without question. Compliments flow freely, even when the change is unintended. However, not every drop in weight is a positive development. In fact, unexplained or unintentional weight loss can often be one of the earliest and most overlooked signs of a serious underlying health to the Times of India, Medical experts define unintentional weight loss as the loss of more than 5% of one's body weight over six to twelve months without any effort to slim down. Unlike deliberate weight loss through diet or exercise, this type of reduction can signal chronic illness, hormonal imbalances, digestive disorders, or even your body begins to shed weight without an identifiable cause, it's often a sign that something internal is not functioning properly. This may include the inability to absorb nutrients, an overactive immune response, or a disease-accelerating example, hyperthyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland produces excessive hormones, causing a spike in metabolic rate. Individuals with this condition may feel more energetic at first, often brushing off symptoms like insomnia, tremors, or an increased appetite. As per health experts, a simple thyroid panel (TSH, T3, T4) can help detect this condition particularly Type 1 and advanced Type 2, is another condition that can lead to unexpected weight loss. When the body is unable to process glucose efficiently, it begins to burn muscle and fat for energy. This results in muscle wasting and a range of other symptoms like fatigue, frequent urination, and blurred vision. A basic blood glucose test is usually sufficient to identify digestive disorders such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, or IBS can impair the body's ability to absorb essential nutrients. Symptoms like chronic diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, and bloating are common but often dismissed or misattributed to dietary choices or stress. According to gastroenterologists, persistent gastrointestinal issues warrant comprehensive testing, including endoscopy and stool infections and autoimmune conditions like HIV, lupus, tuberculosis, or rheumatoid arthritis can also lead to weight loss. These illnesses often manifest with vague symptoms—fatigue, low-grade fever, or joint pain—and are frequently mistaken for minor viral of the most serious culprits is cancer, particularly gastrointestinal, pancreatic, or lung types. In many cases, weight loss is among the earliest signs. Individuals may also notice a loss of appetite, fatigue, or anemia. Because these symptoms can be subtle, they are often overlooked until the disease health disorders, including depression and anxiety, can also cause weight changes. A lack of interest in food, disrupted sleep, and gastrointestinal complaints are commonly observed. These symptoms often go unrecognized due to the stigma surrounding mental health or the tendency to separate emotional well-being from physical health Healthcare professionals recommend paying close attention if you experience any of the following:Experts urge people to resist societal norms that glorify all forms of weight loss. While fitness transformations through diet and exercise are commendable, unintentional weight reduction should not be dismissed or celebrated. As seen in the story of one fitness coach who consciously dropped from 85 to 60 kilograms through planned changes, the key difference lies in intention and overall health.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Indian Express
Hepatitis A surges with monsoon: What tests to do, what vaccines to take and how to keep the virus at bay
When a 30-year-old woman walked into Dr Rommel Tickoo's clinic, one look at her yellowish eyes told him that she had a liver problem. Sure enough, when the internal medicine expert at Max Healthcare, Delhi, checked her liver enzymes, they were through the roof. Her enzyme levels stood at around 3,000 IU/L — the normal ranges are between 7 and 55 IU/L. She tested positive for hepatitis A, a viral infection usually transmitted through contaminated food and water. With several gastrointestinal infections and vector-borne diseases being common during the monsoon, getting the correct diagnosis may be a challenge. 'The typical symptoms, such as yellowing of skin and eyes that people associate with hepatitis, are not the first ones to appear. The yellowing happens at later stages of the disease, where there are high levels of accumulated bilirubin (a yellow pigment produced when the red blood cells break down, usually cleared out by the liver). A person should ideally go to a doctor before this happens,' says Dr Tickoo. Why a test matters The overlapping symptoms, which can be caused by other gastrointestinal infections, are the reason that doctors go in for tests to be sure. As Dr Suranjit Chatterjee, senior consultant of internal medicine at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, Delhi, says, 'During this season, you would either see food and water-borne infections, vector-borne infections and some respiratory infections. Usually, patients coming in with symptoms such as loose motions, vomiting, loss of appetite have gastrointestinal diseases such as hepatitis A, E, gastroenteritis or typhoid. High fever, headache and body ache would usually be the symptoms in patients with vector-borne diseases such as dengue, malaria or chikungunya.' Dr Tickoo usually gets such patients tested for complete blood count, liver enzyme and C-reactive protein, the last indicative of the inflammation in the body. Then he prescribes tests for dengue, malaria, typhoid, and in some cases, especially concerning the women and elderly, he gets a urine culture to check for urinary tract infection. When to see a doctor People who get fever, nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea should go to a doctor if the symptoms seem to be worsening or do not seem to be improving after a couple of days. Dr Chatterjee advises that anyone who is immunocompromised — for example, if they are living with conditions such as heart diseases, liver disease, kidney disease, diabetes, cancers, HIV, or have undergone an organ transplantation — should go to their doctor sooner. 'One should also go to a doctor immediately if their symptoms are unmanageable, say if they are vomiting or getting loose motions more than 20 times a day,' he says. Do not pop pills at will Importantly, people with these symptoms should only take medicines such as paracetamol and those to prevent vomiting when at home. 'Other medicines such as Combiflam should be avoided. Pain medications such as diclofenac or mefenamic acid should also be avoided, especially when diseases like dengue are likely. These medicines are known to increase the risk of bleeding in patients with dengue. Antibiotics are a strict no-no. They are of no use in cases of viral infections such as hepatitis, can lead to growing antimicrobial resistance and, importantly, may also affect the results of certain tests we need to confirm our diagnosis,' says Dr Tickoo. While most people with hepatitis A get better within four to 16 weeks, some go on to develop serious complications such as liver failure and coma. 'It is, however, impossible to tell who will get the complications. So it is essential that everyone who has the hepatitis A infection takes rest and helps the body recover,' says Dr Ashwini Setya, senior consultant of gastroenterology at Medanta, Gurugram. What to eat during recovery While at home, patients should ensure that they drink plenty of fluids and eat healthy meals as per their appetite. 'It is a myth that people need to eat bland, boiled food. They should only eat as much as they feel like. Usually, people's appetite reduces significantly when they have a hepatitis infection. Force-feeding can lead to more nausea,' says Dr Setya. It is better to boil water and follow hand hygiene, according to Ritika Samaddar, regional head, dietetics and nutrition, Max Healthcare. 'During the recovery phase, liver cells are regenerating. So they need protein in the form of eggs, milk and paneer. They need good fat, so normal refined, olive and nut oils work, but in moderation. A teaspoon of ghee can be had too to whet the appetite. Carbs are equally important for regenerating liver cells. Have small, frequent meals,' she says. However, she warns that the diet discipline must be adhered to strictly for at least six months. 'Hepatitis A is a self-limiting infection. But sometimes there can be a relapse if you do not take care. Besides, you could be at risk of other strains of the hepatitis virus. A diet discipline is a must,' says Samaddar. She even suggests a strict preventive regime: 'Please drink only filtered and boiled water, even cook with it. Wash all your fruits and vegetables thoroughly. Do not eat raw or undercooked foods. Avoid street food, cut fruits and even ice drinks from the roadside or restaurants.' Take the preventive shot There are five hepatitis viruses that cause liver disease in humans. Hepatitis A and E are transmitted through contaminated food and water and usually do not lead to lasting liver damage. Hepatitis B, C and D, on the other hand, are usually transmitted by blood and can lead to chronic infections. At present, vaccines are available against hepatitis A and B. This may also reduce the risk of hepatitis D, which can only occur in people who have hepatitis B infection. While there is no vaccine for hepatitis C, there is an effective antiviral treatment. 'When it comes to water-borne hepatitis, any person who has had hepatitis A is immune for life, but hepatitis E can happen multiple times,' says Dr Setya. Hepatitis E infection in a pregnant woman can lead to abortion of a foetus and increase the risk of maternal mortality, he adds. So, who should take the hepatitis A vaccine? Doctors recommend it for children, students living in hostels, people who eat out often or those who are immunocompromised. Others may also take it to reduce the risk of an infection, but it is not necessary for everyone. (With inputs by Rinku Ghosh) Anonna Dutt is a Principal Correspondent who writes primarily on health at the Indian Express. She reports on myriad topics ranging from the growing burden of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension to the problems with pervasive infectious conditions. She reported on the government's management of the Covid-19 pandemic and closely followed the vaccination programme. Her stories have resulted in the city government investing in high-end tests for the poor and acknowledging errors in their official reports. Dutt also takes a keen interest in the country's space programme and has written on key missions like Chandrayaan 2 and 3, Aditya L1, and Gaganyaan. She was among the first batch of eleven media fellows with RBM Partnership to End Malaria. She was also selected to participate in the short-term programme on early childhood reporting at Columbia University's Dart Centre. Dutt has a Bachelor's Degree from the Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune and a PG Diploma from the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. She started her reporting career with the Hindustan Times. When not at work, she tries to appease the Duolingo owl with her French skills and sometimes takes to the dance floor. ... Read More
