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October 2, 2025 International law

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk called on Thursday for urgent action to prevent widespread ethnically motivated attacks in El Fasher. This comes as the Rapid Intervention Force (RIF) intensifies efforts to regain control of the besieged capital of North Darfur state.

"After more than 500 days of continuous siege and constant fighting, El Fasher is on the brink of an even greater catastrophe unless urgent action is taken," Turk said.

Reports of the deployment of long-range drones by the Rapid Reaction Force in South Darfur are heightening fears of a possible escalation of fighting in the coming days.

From September 19 to 29, at least 91 people were killed as a result of drone strikes, artillery shelling, and ground attacks by the Rapid Reaction Force. Reports included strikes on markets and a public kitchen. The attacks on civilian infrastructure appear aimed at forcing the population to flee the city, as well as the nearby Abu Shouk camp for internally displaced persons.

Türk emphasized the need to protect civilians remaining in El Fasher, including those unable to leave the city—the elderly, people with disabilities, and those with chronic illnesses. Those who wish to leave must be given the opportunity to leave the city in safe conditions. The High Commissioner recalled the gravest crimes against refugees, including extrajudicial killings, torture, and abductions.

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He also warned of the risk of a recurrence of ethnically motivated crimes and abuses against the population, similar to those that occurred during the Rapid Intervention Forces attack on the Zamzam camp for displaced persons in April, including sexual violence against women and girls from the Zaghawa tribe.

Türk also called for unimpeded humanitarian aid delivery to El Fasher. Residents of the city are experiencing a critical shortage of food, water, and medicine.

"The situation is exacerbated by the ongoing arbitrary restrictions imposed by the Rapid Reaction Force on the entry of food and essential goods into the city. There are also credible reports that fighters have tortured and killed civilians for attempting to deliver food," he added.

Türk recalled that international humanitarian law prohibits the use of starvation as a method of warfare and also requires the protection of humanitarian personnel. He reiterated his call for the immediate lifting of the siege and the free flow of aid.

The High Commissioner appealed to all parties to the conflict and States with influence on the situation to take urgent measures to prevent further atrocities.

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October 2, 2025 Peace and security

"The human rights situation in Haiti has reached a critical point," the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights stated on Thursday. Speaking at a meeting of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Volker Türk noted that the level of violence in the country has increased significantly since the publication of his previous report on Haiti in March.

"I welcome the UN Security Council's decision to strengthen the Multinational Security Assistance Mission in Haiti by transforming it into an Anti-Gang Force. This is a strong signal of international support for the people of Haiti," the High Commissioner said.

Since January 1, 2022, Türk continued, more than 16,000 people have been killed and approximately 7,000 wounded in armed clashes. It is estimated that between 270,000 and 500,000 firearms are circulating illegally in Haiti, with the majority of them in the hands of gangs.

"Gangs kill and kidnap people, extort money at illegal checkpoints, hijack trucks carrying food and other goods, and burn and destroy homes, hospitals, schools, and public buildings," the High Commissioner said. "They resort to mass sexual violence to assert their dominance, expand their territorial influence, and displace the population."

© J. Clarke

Delivery of humanitarian aid is extremely limited.

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) warned on Thursday that increasing violence by armed groups in Haiti's capital is limiting the delivery of humanitarian aid. At the same time, due to severe funding shortages, the WFP is being forced to reduce food rations and suspend programs.

Armed groups reportedly control nearly 90 percent of Port-au-Prince. As a result, more and more farmers are losing access to markets, further weakening the already fragile food system and leading to rising food prices.

Around 1.3 million people have been forced to flee their homes in search of food and shelter. Thousands of families, deprived of income and education, are sheltering in schools and public buildings. More than half of the displaced are children.

A funding shortage forced the WFP to suspend hot meal distributions to displaced families and halve food rations. For the first time in its history, resource constraints prevented the WFP from pre-positioning food reserves in Haiti for disaster response during the Atlantic hurricane season.

"Violence has permeated every corner of Port-au-Prince, leaving no peaceful neighborhoods in the capital, and armed groups have begun to infiltrate previously peaceful rural areas," said Wanja Kaaria, head of the WFP office in Haiti. Today, approximately half of Haiti's population—5.7 million people—suffers from acute food insecurity.

Working in conditions of funding shortages

Despite limited access and extremely dangerous conditions, WFP has provided assistance to approximately two million Haitians since January 2025. More than 70 percent of school meals are prepared from locally sourced ingredients, creating income sources for farmers and suppliers. WFP has also launched targeted infrastructure projects in communities, including areas controlled by armed groups, to restore irrigation systems and increase local food production.

Haiti is the only country in the Americas and one of five in the world experiencing catastrophic levels of hunger. The WFP needs $139 million over the next 12 months to help the country's most vulnerable families.

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October 2, 2025 Peace and security

UN Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemns the terrorist attack on a synagogue in Manchester, United Kingdom, today. He called the attack on a synagogue on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, a heinous crime.

"Places of worship are sacred spaces where people seek peace," the UN chief's press service said in a statement.

The Secretary-General expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.

According to media reports, on Thursday, an unidentified man drove a car into people near the Heaton Park Synagogue and then attacked them with a knife. Two people were reported dead, and three more, according to police, are in serious condition. The attacker, who was shot by police, was also killed, journalists reported.

Guterres expressed solidarity with the Jewish community and called for those responsible to be brought to justice.

"The Secretary-General is deeply concerned about the alarming rise in anti-Semitism worldwide and stresses the need to counter hatred and intolerance in all their forms," the UN said.

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October 2, 2025 International law

On Monday, October 6, the International Court of Justice will begin hearings on the protection of workers' rights to strike. The outcome of this case could significantly impact labor law worldwide.

Over the next three days, judges at the Peace Palace in The Hague will hear arguments on this matter. The case was prompted by a request from the International Labour Organization (ILO), which requested an advisory opinion on Convention No. 87 – a key 1948 treaty guaranteeing freedom of association. Despite its fundamental importance, states still disagree on whether the convention extends to the right to strike.

The ILO Governing Body acknowledged back in November 2023 that there were "serious differences of opinion" among the organization's members and sent a request to the Court.

Twenty states and five international organizations have announced their participation in the hearings. The United States and Brazil, which have not ratified the convention, and the Organization of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACP), have also been admitted to the process.

Although the Court's advisory opinions are not binding, they have had a significant impact on the development of international law and state practice. Since 1946, the Court has issued approximately 30 such opinions. The most recent of these concerned Israeli policy in the Palestinian territories And obligations of states to combat climate change.

The right to strike case is expected to have a wide impact, with unions, employers and governments closely monitoring it as one of the most contentious issues in modern labour law.

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October 1, 2025 Human rights

Colonialism, slavery, and the slave trade are more than just dark chapters of history. Their impact is felt today, fueling inequality and perpetuating systemic racism against people of African descent. This was the statement made by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk during an interactive dialogue on racial justice held by the Human Rights Council.

Around the world, people of African descent face entrenched barriers and stereotypes in many areas, including education, healthcare, the labor market, and even the digital space, Türk noted.

“Systemic racism against Africans and people of African descent has been building for generations and can – and must – be eradicated,” the High Commissioner said.

He declared the need for "the truth to be revealed and accepted." "The damage caused must be compensated," Türk declared.

He noted that countries have acted differently in recent years. Some states, including Belgium, Brazil, Germany, and the Netherlands, have issued official apologies to affected communities or other countries.

In some countries, truth-telling initiatives have led to research. In others, such as Colombia, France, Mauritius, Mexico, Qatar, Senegal, and South Africa, museums have opened and commemorative days or months have been observed.

Photo by UN

In Belgium, Ghana, Mexico, Portugal, Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Caribbean, monuments or place names associated with people involved in the slave trade or colonization have been identified, removed, or contextualized, although in some cases the opposite has been observed.

A number of museums, universities, religious groups, and companies have apologized for their past. Türk stated that more such initiatives should be undertaken.

They identified five areas of action that could contribute to the eradication of racism.

First, he believed that states must make specific commitments to promoting reparative justice. Second, consultations with affected communities must be conducted. He also emphasized the need for cooperation between countries and regions.

“I am encouraged by the growing number of such initiatives, including those of the African Union and CARICOM (Caribbean Community – editor’s note),” Türk said.

The High Commissioner also called for support for civil society organizations and for reforms at the global level, in particular by strengthening Africa's representation on the UN Security Council.

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October 1, 2025 Humanitarian aid

The full-scale war in Ukraine has presented international humanitarian organizations with an unprecedented challenge. In the first months of the conflict, millions of people were provided with food and cash payments, shelter, and medical care. However, a new UN report reveals that these impressive figures conceal gaps, and the system itself requires updating.

The Inter-Agency Standing Committee Evaluation Group report, prepared with the support of the World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Office for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), analyses the work of organizations involved in the humanitarian operation from 2022 to 2024.

According to the report, the Ukrainian experience shows that standard aid models designed for countries with weakened institutions are not suitable for countries with functioning governments and active civil societies.

Millions needed urgent help

Following Russia's invasion on February 24, 2022, the UN humanitarian system was activated the very next day. In a short period of time, large-scale deliveries of food, water, and essential supplies were quickly deployed, along with emergency support.

The World Food Programme became the largest operator of cash transfers and simultaneously continued food deliveries, gradually transitioning to cash-based formats as markets recovered. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) established a network of children's and family centers in Spilno and supported displaced families. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) provided legal assistance, shelter, and financial support to those left homeless and affected by the war.

Lessons for the future

The report's authors emphasize that emergency assistance was provided promptly, but not always to those who needed it most. In the first months, there was a lack of accurate data on the most vulnerable groups—the elderly, people with disabilities, and members of ethnic minorities.

Millions of people received assistance and protection, but efforts did not always meet long-term priorities.

A separate chapter of the report is devoted to the role of Ukrainian non-governmental organizations. Many of them have extensive experience working in crises, but at the beginning of the war, they were effectively relegated to the background: they were used primarily as contractors for aid delivery, with little consideration given to their views in planning operations.

Shortcomings in coordination were also identified: there was not always mutual understanding between UN clusters, and the transition to restoring and integrating cash assistance into the social protection system was slow.

Restart the system

The so-called "humanitarian reset"—a process of reconsidering approaches to aid delivery—is currently underway. The report's authors call for a focus on local partners, more active involvement of Ukrainian agencies in the management of operations, and the development of a common strategy for transitioning from emergency support to sustainable recovery.

The document emphasizes the importance of not only distributing aid but also investing in long-term sustainability—restoring agriculture, integrating cash support into state social assistance systems, and creating jobs.

The numbers speak for themselves

According to the UN, 6.8 million Ukrainian refugees remained outside the country in 2024, with another 3.6 million people unable to return home within the country. In 2025, 12.7 million Ukrainians needed assistance, but due to funding cuts, the humanitarian plan had to be scaled back to support only 4.8 million of the most vulnerable.

While the UN emergency plan was nearly 90 percent funded in 2022, by 2025 donors had only covered about 70 percent of the needs. This resulted in a reduction in the scale of operations, and an increasing burden on the remaining humanitarian structures.

Lessons learned

The report emphasizes that Ukraine's experience should serve as a lesson for all humanitarian operations worldwide. Where state institutions and civil society are functioning, international aid should be more flexible, rely on local resources, and provide a clear path from crisis support to recovery and development.

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October 1, 2025 Humanitarian aid

Israeli forces continue their offensive, attempting to establish full control over Gaza City. Meanwhile, according to Palestinian health authorities, 151 children have died from acute malnutrition in the Strip since the war began.

© UNICEF/R. Eleyan

One of the most recent victims was a nine-year-old girl, Jana. She was hospitalized twice, and both times she recovered. However, on September 17, she died. In August, Jana's sister, Juri, died of exhaustion.

"The world has failed Jan," said Tess Ingram, a spokeswoman for the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

"The little girl was forced to endure terrible suffering because of deliberate decisions that restricted food access to the Gaza Strip," she added.

Lack of help

Ingram also noted that the enclave's healthcare system has been devastated by the war and children often do not receive the care they need.

"Her last hope—medical evacuation outside of Gaza—was dashed. No country was willing to accept Jana," a UNICEF representative said.

Currently, children with severe and moderate malnutrition receive specialized therapeutic products in the remaining functioning hospitals in the Strip. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) recently reported that four more clinics in northern Gaza have closed this month alone. Only 14 medical facilities are operational in the entire Strip, and all are overwhelmed, primarily due to the large number of trauma patients admitted.

According to UNICEF, the malnutrition crisis has reached catastrophic proportions: all children under five—more than 320,000—are at risk. In July alone, 13,000 children were diagnosed with acute wasting, a record high. Since the beginning of the year, this figure has increased by more than 500 percent.

"This war must end. Humanitarian supplies—food and nutritional support—must be allowed into the Gaza Strip. Aid workers must be allowed to do their jobs," Ingram said.

How medical evacuations work

WHO-coordinated evacuations of patients from Gaza follow a strict seven-step protocol, from the dispatch of doctors to coordination with host countries and subsequent approval by Israeli authorities.

According to the latest WHO data, 7,841 patients have left the sector since October 7, 2023, more than 5,330 of whom are children. However, approximately 15,600 people still require evacuation.

On September 29, WHO assisted in the evacuation of 14 patients and 38 accompanying persons to Jordan, and 15 patients and 65 accompanying persons to Italy from the Palestine Red Crescent field hospital in Al-Mawasi.

"Patients, their families, and doctors are leaving here, accompanied by ambulances, buses, and WHO staff, to safely pass through the fighting zone to the Kerem Shalom crossing," said Athanasios Gargavanis, a trauma surgeon at WHO who leads the organization's team in Gaza.

From there, patients are transported to Ramon Airport in southern Israel, after which they are sent to their host countries.

The WHO has once again called for the resumption of sending Gazans to the West Bank and East Jerusalem for treatment, and noted that the list of countries willing to accept patients should be expanded.

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October 1, 2025 Climate and environment

Heads of state of Central Asia 80th session of the UN General Assembly They issued a warning: accelerating glacier melt threatens millions of people with water and food shortages. The presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan presented ambitious initiatives—from holding international forums to creating new institutions—aimed at averting the looming crisis.

Glaciers are melting, threats are growing

President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted, that the rate at which Central Asia is warming is twice the global average. He stated that the melting of glaciers in the Alatau Mountains "is multiplying the threats to water and food security for millions of people."

President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, in turn, provided data Of the country's 14,000 glaciers, more than 1,300 have already completely disappeared. These changes are causing floods, droughts, and dust storms, which directly impact water, energy, and food supplies.

President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov I emphasizelthat its mountainous country is particularly vulnerable to droughts and dwindling water resources, threatening agriculture and biodiversity.

The Tragedy of the Inland Seas

Central Asian leaders paid special attention to environmental disasters associated with the region's largest bodies of water.

In particular, the President of Kazakhstan warned that the Caspian Sea is rapidly shrinking, calling it a "global alarm." Turkmenistan, meanwhile, reaffirmed its commitment to the Caspian Environmental Initiative.

© Public Association Aral Oasis

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized that the consequences of the Aral Sea's shrinkage must remain a focus of the international community, and announced that the country has planted salt-resistant plants on two million hectares of dry seabed.

Conferences and forums

Central Asian leaders presented a wide range of proposals for holding regional and international events.

Thus, Kazakhstan will host the UN-supported Regional Environmental Summit in Astana in April 2026. Kyrgyzstan has invited all member states to participate in the Bishkek 25 summit in 2027, dedicated to the sustainable development of mountain regions.

Tajikistan will host a high-level international conference, which will serve as the basis for the UN Water Conference in 2028. Turkmenistan, in turn, proposed hosting the next Caspian Environmental Forum in 2026.

Uzbekistan announced preparations for a World Water Efficiency Forum and called for the development of a roadmap for the implementation of innovative water technologies.

New institutions and regional programs

In his speech, the President of Turkmenistan also proposed the creation of a Regional Center to Combat Desertification.

© UNICEF in Tajikistan

The Uzbek leader supported the idea of launching a regional hub for green technologies in collaboration with the UN and implementing programs for rational water use and greening of Central Asia.

The President of Kazakhstan proposed that the General Assembly establish an International Day of Greening the Planet (April 22) and support the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development – 2026.

Climate diplomacy

Uzbekistan called for the conclusion of a Global Compact on Climate Migration, noting the lack of international mechanisms in this area.

Kyrgyzstan emphasized the interconnectedness of natural systems – “from mountains to oceans” – and proposed redirecting $3 trillion in annual military spending toward improving quality of life, environmental protection, and clean air.

Central Asian leaders unanimously emphasize that unless decisive action is taken today, regional environmental challenges will escalate into global crises. They called on the international community to support these initiatives and actively participate in the upcoming events.

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