Latest news with #VolkerTürk
Shafaq News
an hour ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Gaza death toll climbs as pressure builds to end Israeli war
Shafaq News – Gaza At least 77 Palestinians were killed and 376 injured in the past 24 hours, Gaza's Health Ministry reported on Tuesday, as local and international pressure intensifies to stop Israeli airstrikes and ground operations across the enclave. The ministry said the overall death toll since the war began on October 7, 2023, has reached 59,106, with more than 142,500 wounded, including 1,026 people killed and 6,563 injured while attempting to access humanitarian aid. UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk condemned the latest Israeli bombings and forced evacuations in Deir al-Balah, warning they are crippling essential infrastructure and accelerating Gaza's humanitarian collapse. #Gaza: Israel's latest displacement orders & intensive attacks on Deir El Balah add more misery to the suffering of hungry seemed the nightmare couldn't possibly get worse. And yet it must be an immediate end to the killings & destruction.… — UN Human Rights (@UNHumanRights) July 22, 2025 He stressed that as the occupying power, Israel is legally bound to guarantee access to food, medicine, and services, not obstruct them, while cautioning that mass displacement under occupation could amount to war crimes or crimes against humanity. Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the situation in Gaza as 'unbearable,' demanding unimpeded humanitarian access and full compliance with international law. Civilians cannot be targets. images from Gaza are EU reiterates its call for the free, safe and swift flow of humanitarian for the full respect of international and humanitarian in Gaza have suffered too much, for too long.… — Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) July 22, 2025 She urged Israel to remove all restrictions on aid delivery, asserting that civilians must never be targeted and that the suffering in Gaza must end immediately. At the regional level, the Arab League, meeting under Jordan's chairmanship, denounced Israel's use of starvation as a weapon, labeling it 'genocide' and calling for urgent international action to stop the assault and lift the blockade. The League also demanded legal accountability for Israel's actions, rejecting unofficial aid mechanisms like the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. القرارات الصادرة عن مجلس جامعة الدول العربية الذي اجتمع اليوم لمناقشة التحرك السياسي والدبلوماسي لمواجهة سياسية التجويع والحصار للشعب الفلسطيني في #غزة كسلاح إبادة جماعية، ومخططات حكومة الاحتلال بسحب صلاحيات بلدية الخليل في المسجد الإبراهيمي ومحيطه. — جامعة الدول العربية (@arableague_gs) July 22, 2025
L'Orient-Le Jour
7 hours ago
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Gazan Health Ministry official abducted by Israel; Two babies die of starvation, according to Gaza hospitals
U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk warned Tuesday of the "extremely high" risk of serious violations of international law following the expansion of Israeli military operations in Gaza. "These Israeli airstrikes and ground operations will inevitably lead to further civilian casualties and the destruction of civilian infrastructure," Türk said in a statement. MP Walid Baarini said that "the proposal to deploy American, British and French forces in the occupied areas could be a solution" to ensure security on Lebanon's borders with its Syrian and Israeli neighbors. "This initiative could even be extended to the entire southern region under international coverage, thus ensuring lasting stability and preventing future aggression and conflicts. These troops could also replace UNIFIL if its renewal fails," the MP said on Platform X. In April, Walid Baarini declared himself "in favor of normalization with Israel." 13:53 Beirut Time The Israeli army "must stop" killing Palestinian civilians gathering at humanitarian aid distribution points in Gaza, European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Tuesday. " I made it clear that the Israeli army must stop killing people at distribution points" for humanitarian aid, she said on X after speaking with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar. 13:18 Beirut Time A second missile fired from Yemen has crashed outside Israeli borders, according to a senior Israeli military official, whose comments were reported by The Times of Israel and Haaretz. No alert was triggered, as the projectile did not pose a direct threat, they said. 13:08 Beirut Time Israeli fighter jets are flying over several locations in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa, according to L'Orient Today's correspondents. 13:07 Beirut Time In an interview with the Voice of All Lebanon (Sawt kil Lebnen) radio station, Agriculture Minister Nizar Hani said that Lebanon's final response to the American proposal for a lasting cease-fire will be presented to the government at an upcoming meeting. He clarified that no specific timetable was set for the restoration of the state's monopoly on arms. He also stated that cooperation with U.S. envoy Tom Barrack was positive, with a clear plan for the next stage, as well as support from the United States and countries friendly to Lebanon. 12:33 Beirut Time President Joseph Aoun stated that "the current phase is delicate and sensitive and requires unified positions that preserve the unity of Lebanon, its territory and its people, and protect its sovereignty and independence," during a meeting in Baabda with the spiritual leader of the evangelical community in Lebanon and Syria, Pastor Joseph Kassab. The president also said that Lebanon was continuing its contacts to avoid the country suffering the repercussions of the events that shook the region. 12:07 Beirut Time According to Haaretz, Israeli army Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said during an assessment meeting with members of the General Staff that "the war in the Gaza Strip is one of the most complex the IDF has ever faced." 12:07 Beirut Time The Civil Defense announced that Israeli strikes killed 15 people on Tuesday in the Gaza Strip, where the Israeli army is expanding its operations around the city of Deir al-Balah. According to Civil Defense spokesperson Mahmoud Bassal, at least 13 people were killed and more than 50 injured in strikes on the al-Shati Palestinian refugee camp in northern Gaza. 12:07 Beirut Time The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, said Tuesday upon his return from Gaza that the humanitarian situation was "morally unacceptable" in the Palestinian territory ravaged by more than 21 months of war. "We saw men waiting for hours in the sun, hoping for a simple meal," said Bishop Pizzaballa, the highest Catholic authority in the Holy Land. "This is morally unacceptable and unjustifiable," he said, adding that the Church and "the entire Christian community would never abandon them." 11:21 Beirut Time U.S. envoy Tom Barrack meets Parliamentary Speaker Nabih Berri in Ain al-Tineh. American envoy Tom Barrack upon his arrival at Ain al-Tineh. Israel abducted and arrested Marwan al-Hams, a senior official in Gaza's Health Ministry, outside the International Committee of the Red Cross field hospital in the southern Gaza Strip on Monday, the ministry was quoted as saying by Reuters. He said the head of field hospitals in the enclave was on his way to the ICRC hospital in the town of Rafah when an Israeli force "kidnapped" him after opening fire, killing one person and wounding another civilian nearby. Medics said the person killed was a local journalist who was filming an interview with Hams when the incident occurred. An ICRC spokesperson said the ICRC hospital had admitted and treated the injured in the incident but would not comment further on their condition to protect their privacy. He expressed "great concern about the security and safety" around the field hospital. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 10:31 Beirut Time Al-Quds Hospital in Gaza City announced Tuesday morning that it had received the remains of one person killed and 118 wounded, including women and children, while they were waiting to receive humanitarian aid in the southwest of the city, according to Haaretz. Also according to Haaretz, Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis and al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City reported that two babies, one 40 days old, died of starvation Tuesday morning in the Gaza Strip. 09:57 Beirut Time Good morning. Thank you for joining us for our live coverage. Be sure to read the Morning Brief so that you are caught up with what has been happening. 25 countries condemn Israeli denial of humanitarian assistance in Gaza as death toll mounts: Everything you need to know this Tuesday The Israeli army announced on Tuesday that it intercepted a missile fired from Yemen, where it had carried out destructive strikes the day before against a port held by Houthi rebels. "Following the sirens that recently sounded in several areas of Israel, a missile launched from Yemen was intercepted," the Israeli army said on its Telegram account. According to Haaretz, warning sirens sounded in Tel Aviv and several parts of Israel before the announcement. In Gaza, the situation remains dire for the enclave's residents and for the staff of organizations trying to help them. The World Health Organization (WHO) said this morning that the Israeli army attacked its staff residence and its main warehouse in the Gaza Strip town of Deir al-Balah on Monday, compromising its field operations. The U.N. agency said the WHO staff residence was targeted three times, with airstrikes causing a fire, extensive damage, and endangering staff and their families, including children. "Israeli military entered the premises, forcing women and children to evacuate on foot toward Al-Mawasi amid active conflict. Male staff and family members were handcuffed, stripped, interrogated on the spot and screened at gunpoint," the WHO said. Two WHO employees and two family members were arrested, according to a message posted by the organization on X. Three of them were later released, while one staff member remains in detention. "WHO demands the immediate release of the detained staff and protection of all its staff," said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. The WHO also said its main warehouse, located in an evacuation zone, was damaged on Sunday in an attack that caused explosions and a fire inside. Despite these attacks, the organization assured that it would remain in Deir al-Balah and would even strengthen its operations there. . @WHO 's staff residence in Deir al Balah, #Gaza, was attacked three times today as well as its main warehouse. Israeli military entered the premises, forcing women and children to evacuate on foot toward Al-Mawasi amid active conflict. Male staff and family members were… — Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) 09:57 Beirut Time Israeli tank fire killed at least 12 Palestinians and wounded dozens more in a tent encampment in western Gaza City, north of the enclave, local health officials said early Tuesday, quoted by Haaretz. According to rescuers, tanks stationed north of the Shati camp fired two shells at tents housing displaced families, killing at least 12 people. The Israeli army did not immediately respond to the reports, the newspaper reported. On the Iranian nuclear issue, the U.S. administration threatened Tehran with new strikes on Tuesday, in response to comments by the Iranian foreign minister, who stated on Fox News that his country intended to resume uranium enrichment. In a statement to Fox News, Abbas Araghchi said that the United States' primary objective – to prevent Tehran from further developing its nuclear program by blocking all its enrichment capabilities – was unlikely to succeed, despite threats of severe international sanctions. " We cannot abandon enrichment because it is an achievement of our scientists. And beyond that, it is now a matter of national pride," Araghchi said. "Our enrichment program is very dear to us." "Our facilities have been damaged – severely damaged," he said. "The extent of the damage is currently being assessed by our atomic energy organization. But to my knowledge, they are severely affected," specifying that enrichment capacity was currently shut down. Speaking on the Truth Social network, U.S. President Donald Trump commented on these statements. 'The damage is very significant, they are destroyed. Of course they are, exactly as I said, and we will do it again if necessary! ' Donald Trump wrote. 09:57 Beirut Time U.S. envoy Tom Barrack, who arrived in Lebanon to discuss the issue of disarming Hezbollah, is due to meet with Nabih Berri today. Here is what you need to know about his visit. 09:57 Beirut Time The Houthis claimed responsibility for an attack Tuesday targeting Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, Israel, where the army said it intercepted a missile fired from Yemen. Houthi forces, who control large swathes of the country, carried out an operation against Ben Gurion Airport, "using a hypersonic ballistic missile," their military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, said in a statement.
Scoop
3 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
BRIEFING NOTES: (1) Afghanistan, (2) Syria, (3) Bangladesh
Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: Ravina Shamdasani Location: Geneva Date: 18 July 2025 Subject: Afghanistan Syria Bangladesh (1) Afghanistan The surge in the number of Afghans forced or compelled to return to Afghanistan this year is creating a multi-layered human rights crisis requiring the urgent attention of the international community. Many have been either directly forced to return by States where they have been residing, and others have felt compelled to do so because of threats, harassment and intimidation. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk calls for an immediate halt to the forcible return of all Afghan refugees and asylum-seekers, particularly those at risk of persecution, arbitrary detention, or torture upon their return. Countries in the region must ensure that returns to Afghanistan are voluntary, safe, dignified, and consistent with international law. In just over seven months, over 1.9 million Afghans have returned from Iran and Pakistan to Afghanistan. From Iran alone, over 1.5 million have arrived since the start of the year. Of these, 938,000 or 60 per cent were deported – including 500,000 since 13 June. More than 300,000 Afghans have been returned from Pakistan since 1 January this year, on top of the many hundreds of thousands more who have returned since the Taliban takeover and the Government's adoption in 2023 of an 'Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan'. In Tajikistan too, a group of Afghan nationals, including refugees and asylum-seekers, were reportedly summoned in Vahdat on 8 July by security officials and informed that all Afghan nationals must leave the country within 15 days. The scale and frequency of deportations from the country had already sharply increased in recent months. From October 2024 to July 2025, at least 485 Afghan nationals have been deported, among them 334 refugees or asylum-seekers. Many Afghans have also been forced to leave or issued ultimatums from several other countries. A number of countries are also considering reversing their asylum policies granting protection for Afghan refugees. Sending people back to a country in which they are at risk of persecution, torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment or other irreparable harm, violates the core international law principle of non-refoulement. People also have a right to make such a claim and have it fairly considered by State authorities before any action to forcibly expel an individual. Deportations in violation of these basic rules must stop immediately. At the same time, given the particularly severe situation on the ground – especially for women and girls - we call on all States to increase the availability of legal pathways for Afghans to find a safe place to live. People returning to Afghanistan, whether by compulsion or of their own volition, find a country facing an acute humanitarian and human rights crisis. The first priority must be to ensure their immediate needs are met, including the provision of food, water, shelter and access to healthcare. They also face structural and systemic discrimination, gender persecution, issues related to ethnicity, obstacles to full reintegration into society, and a dearth of work and livelihoods as a result of a struggling economy. Women and girls, who are systematically deprived of their rights in Afghanistan, are particularly at risk upon their return. The UN Human Rights Office has spoken out strongly against the extreme institutional discrimination and undue restrictions imposed on women and girls, the cumulative effect of which has been to almost erase women and girls from public life and prevent them from accessing basic services. Others among those deported are journalists, and former civil servants or employees of the previous Afghan government who are particularly vulnerable to reprisals and torture by the de facto authorities upon their return. The UN Human Rights Chief implores States to do everything in their power to help those who have already endured decades of warfare, poverty and hardship, as well as extreme discrimination and threats. We must not turn our backs on them now. The UN Human Rights Office and the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan will be publishing a report next week on the risks faced by those forcibly returned to Afghanistan. (2) Syria Syria's interim authorities must ensure accountability and justice for the killings and other gross human rights violations and abuses in the southern city of Suweida, UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk said today, repeating his call for a new Syria that works for all its people, equal in dignity and without discrimination. Credible reports received by the UN Human Rights Office indicate widespread violations and abuses, including summary executions and arbitrary killings, kidnappings, destruction of private property and looting of homes. Among the reported perpetrators were members of the security forces and individuals affiliated with the interim authorities, as well as other armed elements from the area, including Druze and Bedouins. This has led to a mass displacement of the population in the predominantly Druze governorate. See more: (3) Bangladesh The UN Human Rights Office and the Government of Bangladesh this week signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding to open a mission in the country to support the promotion and protection of human rights. Since last August, the UN Human Rights Office's engagement with Bangladesh has significantly increased. The Office has been working with various stakeholders in advancing human rights reforms and conducting a comprehensive fact-finding inquiry into last year's deadly repression of broad protests.
Scoop
3 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Türk Calls For Immediate Steps To Ensure Protection Of People In Suweida And Across Syria
GENEVA (18 July 2025) – Syria's interim authorities must ensure accountability and justice for the killings and other gross human rights violations and abuses in the southern city of Suweida, UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk said today, repeating his call for a new Syria that works for all its people, equal in dignity and without discrimination. Credible reports received by the UN Human Rights Office indicate widespread violations and abuses, including summary executions and arbitrary killings, kidnappings, destruction of private property and looting of homes. Among the reported perpetrators were members of the security forces and individuals affiliated with the interim authorities, as well as other armed elements from the area, including Druze and Bedouins. This has led to a mass displacement of the population in the predominantly Druze governorate. 'This bloodshed and the violence must stop, and the protection of all people must be the utmost priority, in line with international human rights law,' Türk said. 'There must be independent, prompt and transparent investigations into all violations, and those responsible must be held to account, in accordance with international standards. Incitement to violence and hate speech, both online and offline, must also be stopped. 'It is crucial that immediate steps are taken to prevent recurrence of such violence. Revenge and vengeance are not the answer.' In one incident, on 15 July, the UN Human Rights Office documented the unlawful killing of at least 13 people when armed individuals affiliated with the interim authorities deliberately opened fire at a family gathering. On the same day, they reportedly summarily executed six men near their homes in two separate incidents. The Office has also documented the public humiliation of a Druze man, including the forcible shaving of his moustache, an important cultural symbol for the Druze community. In all, hundreds have been reportedly killed since 12 July. 'My Office has received accounts of distressed Syrians who are living in fear for their lives and those of their loved ones,' said the High Commissioner. 'The deployment of State security forces should bring safety and protection, not add to the fear and violence.' He also raised concerns regarding reports of civilian casualties resulting from Israel's airstrikes on Suweida, Daraa and in the centre of Damascus. 'Attacks such as the one on Damascus on Wednesday pose great risks to civilians and civilian objects. Such attacks must cease,' the High Commissioner said. Türk called for a thorough, urgent and independent vetting process to ensure that those responsible for human rights violations and abuses are not integrated into Syria's official security or military structures. 'This is a vital step in rebuilding public trust and advancing Syria's broader transition,' he said. He also called on the Syrian interim authorities to publish the results of the national fact-finding committee's investigations into the violence in coastal areas earlier this year. 'Impartial and thorough investigations into the recent violence would also strengthen the ongoing wider transitional justice process to ensure accountability for past violations and abuses,' the High Commissioner added. 'Syrians deserve truth, accountability, and guarantees that such violations will not be repeated.' 'With the fall of the former government, Syrians have witnessed a moment of hope for a better future based on human rights. It is the responsibility of the interim authorities to demonstrate that this chapter will be defined by rights, justice, and equal protection for all.'
BBC News
4 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Syria: UN says it has credible reports of summary executions in Suweida
The UN human rights chief says his office has received credible reports indicating widespread violations and abuses, including summary executions and arbitrary killings, during the recent violence in the southern city of the alleged perpetrators were members of the security forces and individuals affiliated with the interim government, as well as local Druze and Bedouin armed elements, Volker Türk said in a statement."This bloodshed and the violence must stop," he warned, adding that "those responsible must be held to account".Almost 600 people are reported to have been killed since sectarian clashes between Druze militias and Bedouin tribes erupted in the province on Sunday. Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa's government responded by deploying its forces to the predominantly Druze city of Suweida for the first time since Islamist-led rebels overthrew President Bashar al-Assad in December, ending 13 years of civil war.A fragile truce appeared to be holding in Suweida on Friday, two days after the government announced that it had agreed the military would pull out and responsibility for security would be handed to religious elders and some local the fighting escalated and government forces were accused by residents and activists of killing Druze civilians and carrying out extrajudicial to Türk, the UN human rights office has documented the unlawful killing of at least 13 people on 15 July, when "armed individuals affiliated with the interim authorities deliberately opened fire at a family gathering"."On the same day, they reportedly summarily executed six men near their homes in two separate incidents," he office has also documented the public humiliation of a Druze men, including the forcible shaving of his moustache, which is an important cultural symbol for the Druze community."My office has received accounts of distressed Syrians who are living in fear for their lives and those of their loved ones," Türk said. "The deployment of state security forces should bring safety and protection, not add to the fear and violence."The BBC has contacted the Syrian government and security forces about allegations of summarily killings and other violations. In a televised address early on Thursday, Sharaa vowed to hold the perpetrators accountable and promised to make protecting the Druze a "priority"."We are eager to hold accountable those who transgressed and abused our Druze people because they are under the protection and responsibility of the state," he went on to blame "outlaw groups", saying their leaders "rejected dialogue for many months".He also said the government had agreed that the military would pull out of Suweida and responsibility for security would be handed to religious elders and some local media have also cited authorities and tribes as accusing "outlaw groups" of carrying out "massacres" of Bedouin fighters and civilians and other UN human rights chief said there must be "independent, prompt and transparent investigations into all violations, and those responsible must be held to account, in accordance with international standards"."It is crucial that immediate steps are taken to prevent recurrence of such violence. Revenge and vengeance are not the answer," he added.Türk raised concerns regarding reports of civilian casualties resulting from Israeli air strikes on Suweida, Daraa and in the centre of Damascus, where the defence ministry's headquarters and a site near the presidential palace were said it carried out the strikes to stop government forces from attacking the Druze and to force the military to withdraw from Suweida Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said on Thursday night that it had documented the killing of at least 594 people during the UK-based monitoring group reported that 300 members of the Druze religious minority were killed, including 146 fighters and 154 civilians, 83 of whom were "summarily executed" by members of the interior and defence ministry's least 257 government personnel and 18 Bedouin fighters were also killed, while three Bedouin civilians were summarily killed by Druze fighters, it added.
