Latest news with #Helsinki+50Conference

Barnama
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
UN Chief Warns Of 'Dangerous Drift' As War, Mistrust, Disinformation Rise
LONDON, July 31 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- The UN secretary-general on Thursday warned of a "dangerous drift" away from commitments, as human rights are "under assault" and democratic space is "shrinking', Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported. "War continues to rage on the European continent, and trust between states is fraying," Antonio Guterres said in his video message to the Helsinki+50 Conference. Saying that human rights are "under assault" and democratic space is "shrinking," the UN chief also expressed concern over disinformation that is fueling division and fear.

Barnama
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
UN Rights Chief Voices Concern Over Israel's 'Unlawful Presence' In Palestinian Territories
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk attends the opening of the Helsinki+50 Conference in Helsinki, Finland, July 31, 2025. The conference marks the 50th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act. Lehtikuva/Mikko Stig/via REUTERS LONDON, July 31 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- The UN human rights chief on Thursday expressed concern over Israel's "unlawful presence" in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, calling for accountability for all violations, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported. Speaking at the Helsinki+50 Conference, which is being held in the Finnish capital Helsinki, Volker Turk said that the root causes of conflict often lie in inequalities and human rights violations and are fuelled by dehumanisation and discrimination. "These dynamics can be seen today in Gaza, in Sudan and elsewhere. bootstrap slideshow "Israel must end its unlawful presence, and there must be accountability for all violations of international human rights and international humanitarian law," he noted. He pointed out the huge number of civilian deaths in the Israeli bombardments of Gaza, the repeated forced displacement and the unlawful restrictions imposed on the entry and distribution of humanitarian aid. Turk also said that people are being killed while seeking food in Gaza and harassment of Palestinians by Israeli settlers and security forces in the occupied West Bank continues. "It is clear that the war must end," he said, adding that hostages held by Hamas must also be released. Hosted by Finland, the Helsinki+50 Conference marks the 50th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act, which was signed to improve relations between the Eastern and Western blocs during the Cold War by addressing security, economic, and humanitarian issues. -- BERNAMA-ANADOLU