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February 11, 2026 Human rights

More than 70 percent of legislators worldwide reported experiencing violence from members of the public, including online, according to a new report from the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

Speaking at the UN headquarters in New York on February 11, IPU Secretary-General Martin Chungong warned of rising hostility toward elected officials. The report, "When Society Becomes Hostile: Political Violence Against Parliamentarians," focuses on the growing incidence of intimidation and harassment of parliamentarians by citizens.

"The violence is largely concentrated online, with between 65 and 70 percent of MPs in the five countries reporting instances of online abuse," Chungong said.

The report is based on a survey of hundreds of parliamentarians, as well as in-depth research in Argentina, Benin, Italy, Malaysia, and the Netherlands. According to the data obtained, the most common forms of pressure include insults and derogatory remarks, the dissemination of false or misleading information, and threats. Most respondents believe the situation is worsening. In Argentina and the Netherlands, up to 80 percent of parliamentarians reported an increase in violence over the past five years.

"Online violence is often triggered by elections, high-profile parliamentary debates, or polarizing political and cultural issues," Chungong noted.

Online violence is often triggered by elections, high-profile parliamentary debates, or polarizing political and cultural issues.

The report also highlights the gender dimension of the problem. Women parliamentarians are more often the target of attacks: 76 percent of female MPs in the countries surveyed reported experiencing violence, compared to only 68 percent of men.

Speaking about the situation in the United States, Chungong called it "very acute" and noted the rise in attacks on politicians and even their family members. He mentioned the arson attack against Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, the attack on the husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and the recent physical attack on Congresswoman Ilhan Omar during a campaign rally.

Chungong warned that this trend poses a serious threat to democratic institutions. "This phenomenon can have a negative impact on democracy," he emphasized, adding that rising societal hostility has "serious consequences not only for the safety and well-being of legislators themselves, but also for the work of parliaments and the quality of democratic debate." Many MPs interviewed reported changing their behavior. "They resort to self-censorship online and become more cautious in their public statements," he said.

The Geneva-based IPU is holding its annual parliamentary hearing this week at UN Headquarters in New York, jointly with the Office of the President of the General Assembly. Around 250 people are expected to attend, including approximately 150 parliamentarians from around the world.

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February 11, 2026 International law

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Wednesday called on Israel to reverse recent measures aimed at expanding its control over Palestinian territories in the occupied West Bank.

"This is yet another step by the Israeli authorities to make the creation of a viable Palestinian state impossible, which violates the Palestinian people's right to self-determination," he said.

According to Türk, if these decisions are implemented, “they will undoubtedly accelerate the dispossession and forced displacement of Palestinians, and will also lead to the creation of new illegal Israeli settlements.”

In turn, this will “further deprive Palestinians of their natural resources and limit their enjoyment of other human rights.”

Expanding control over land

On February 8, the Israeli security cabinet approved a package of measures, which provides for the expansion of Israeli civil powers in areas A and B of the West Bank, which make up about 40 percent of the territory.

Some of these powers, according to the Oslo Accords signed by the Israeli and Palestinian leadership in the 1990s, fall within the purview of the Palestinian Authority.

The new measures include a change in legislation that will allow Israeli authorities and private individuals to acquire land in Areas A and B, in violation of occupation law.

"This will further strengthen Israel's control and the integration of the occupied West Bank into Israel, cementing the illegal annexation," Türk stressed.

Violation of cultural rights

The decisions also strip the Palestinian Authority of planning and construction authority in parts of Hebron in the southern West Bank, including the Ibrahimi Mosque – known in Judaism as the “Cave of the Patriarchs” and a sacred site for followers of Islam, Judaism and Christianity.

In addition, Israel will establish administrative control over another holy site – Rachel's Tomb in Bethlehem – in order to accelerate settlement expansion.

"This violates not only the land rights of Palestinians, but also their cultural rights to places of special significance," the High Commissioner said.

"The decisions must be reversed."

Türk noted that the new steps come amid a broader picture – increasing attacks by Israeli settlers and security forces against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, as well as forced displacements, evictions, home demolitions, land seizures and restrictions on freedom of movement, among other documented violations.

"We are witnessing rapid steps to irreversibly change the demography of the occupied Palestinian territory, dispossess its people of their land and force them to leave," he said.

"This is accompanied by rhetoric and actions by senior Israeli officials and violates Israel's obligations as an occupying power to preserve the existing legal order and social fabric. These decisions must be reversed," Türk added.

The High Commissioner called for the evacuation of all settlements and an immediate end to the Israeli occupation.

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February 11, 2026 UN

The top news of the day at the UN and around the world: children killed in a strike in the Kharkiv region, Turk called for an end to measures to expand Israeli control in the West Bank, the UN Secretary-General will attend the African Union summit in Ethiopia, and measles cases in Europe and Central Asia have declined, but risks remain.

Casualties among Ukrainian children

Humanitarian organizations are providing emergency aid to residents of the city of Bohodukhiv in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine. after the drone attack at night, which killed three children and their father. The family had recently fled from another frontline area in search of safety, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported on Wednesday. The day before, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) also reported minor casualties in the Kharkiv and Donetsk regions. Humanitarian workers continue to support the affected families.

The situation in the West Bank

Recent decisions by the Israeli Security Cabinet to expand land expropriation in the occupied West Bank violate the Palestinians' right to self-determination" , UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk stated today. He warned that if these decisions are implemented, they will lead to the dispossession and forced displacement of Palestinians, as well as the creation of new illegal Israeli settlements. Türk called on Israel to reverse its measures to expand its control over Palestinian lands in the West Bank.

UN and African Union

Tomorrow the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres Guterres will arrive in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to attend the 39th Ordinary Session of the African Union Summit. He also plans to hold a number of bilateral meetings. According to the UN press service, Guterres has been invited to participate in the second Italy-Africa Summit on Friday, and on Saturday he will address the opening of the African Union Summit. Guterres is expected to emphasize the role of developing the partnership between the two organizations.

Measles incidence

Number of measles cases in Europe and Central Asia in 2025 significantly decreased Compared to 2024, preliminary data from 53 countries in the WHO European Region indicate this. However, the threat of new outbreaks remains, warn the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO). In 2025, 33,998 measles cases were registered in the region—almost 75 percent fewer than the year before. However, the 2025 figures still exceed those of most years since 2000. In some countries, the number of cases was even higher than in 2024.

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February 11, 2026 UN

Since the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been supporting Ukraine in clearing the rubble. During this period, one million tons of debris have been removed, marking a significant milestone in the country's recovery efforts.

According to an analysis conducted by the World Bank Group, the Government of Ukraine, the European Commission and the United Nations, with the support of other partners, direct damage to buildings and infrastructure in Ukraine will reach US$176 billion by the end of 2024.

The rubble has become one of the most serious and pressing obstacles to the recovery of the affected areas and the return of Ukrainians to their homes.

UNDP supported early recovery activities in 26 districts of Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Kherson, Kyiv, Mykolaiv, Sumy and Zaporizhzhia regions.

As of early 2026, a volume of construction debris equivalent in weight to three Empire State Buildings had been removed and sorted. This allowed for the restoration of safe access to over 200 sites, as well as the repair of residential buildings, schools, hospitals, and industrial facilities.

The implementation of these works placed a strong emphasis on local involvement, with over 400 locally recruited workers employed across the country.

The cleanup work was carried out in accordance with strict protocols for the safe handling of hazardous waste, including asbestos-containing materials, and involved systematic sorting for recycling.

"As communities across Ukraine continue to face widespread destruction, managing millions of tons of rubble is placing a tremendous burden on local authorities," said Deputy Prime Minister for Reconstruction and Development Oleksiy Kuleba, emphasizing UNDP's critical role in clearing the rubble.

“In 2026, UNDP will strive for new results, working with the Government of Ukraine to create a coherent, coordinated and sustainable national construction waste management system,” said Auke Lootsma, UNDP Representative in Ukraine.

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February 11, 2026 Healthcare

The World Health Organization (WHO) is calling on countries to do everything possible to ensure that the millions of people living with cataracts receive surgery. The WHO emphasizes that cataract surgery is very simple, takes only 15 minutes, and completely restores vision. However, many people still lack access to this procedure.

Tens of millions of people are sick

A new study published today in The Lancet demonstrates the scale of the problem: nearly half of all people worldwide suffering from blindness caused by cataracts still require surgical treatment.

A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye that leads to vision impairment and can lead to blindness. Worldwide, 94 million people suffer from cataracts. Cataract removal is a simple, effective procedure that provides immediate vision restoration that lasts for years.

“Cataract surgery is one of the most powerful tools available to restore vision and change lives,” said Devora Kestel, Acting Director of the WHO Department of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health.

"When people regain their sight, they regain their independence, dignity and opportunity," she added.

The situation is changing for the better

Over the past 20 years, the number of people undergoing this surgery has increased by 15 percent, despite an aging population and rising cataract rates leading to increased demand. This figure is expected to grow by another 8.4 percent over the current decade. The WHO calls for accelerating this growth and increasing the number of people eligible for cataract surgery by 30 percent.

A study analyzing data from 68 countries for 2023 and 2024 shows that the problem is most acute in the African region, where 75 percent of people requiring cataract surgery go untreated. Across all regions, women are less likely to undergo the procedure than men.

Reasons why people do not receive treatment may include a shortage of specialists, low incomes, and lack of information.

Age is the main risk factor for cataracts. They can also be caused by prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation, tobacco use, corticosteroid use, and diabetes.

How to solve the problem

WHO recommends that countries integrate vision screening into primary health care, invest in basic surgical infrastructure, and ensure the availability of necessary specialists, especially in rural areas.

The WHO also calls for eliminating gender and geographical inequalities. The organization emphasizes that cataract surgery may become widely available in the near future.

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February 11, 2026 Peace and security

Five international organizations and regional associations – the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the League of Arab States, the European Union, and the UN – have called on the parties to the conflict in Sudan to immediately stop the escalation of hostilities, warning of catastrophic consequences for the civilian population.

In a joint statement, the UN and partners expressed "deep concern" about the continuing deterioration of the situation in the country.

Deadly Blows

They demanded an immediate halt to the further build-up of military force, including the use of increasingly destructive weapons that inflict heavy casualties on civilians.

The situation in the Kordofan and Blue Nile regions is particularly alarming. The statement notes deadly drone strikes, tightened sieges of populated areas, and attacks on critical civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and humanitarian facilities. It also reports the forced displacement of residents, severe restrictions on humanitarian access, security threats along key supply routes, and attacks on aid convoys.

"Five" reminded about the tragedy in El Fasher and warnings, which had been voiced before but were not heeded. International organizations emphasized that civilians should not continue to pay the price for the ongoing fighting.

Obligations under international law

The statement's authors called for coordinated efforts, including by those with the greatest influence over the warring parties, to reduce violence, restore conditions for the protection of civilians, and stop the flow of weapons, fighters, and other support that fuel the conflict and lead to further fragmentation of the country.

The protection of civilians, civilian objects, and local infrastructure is an obligation under international law. All parties must comply with humanitarian law, ensuring safe, rapid, and unimpeded access for humanitarian organizations. to all those in needSerious violations, partner organizations stated, cannot go unpunished, and those responsible must be held accountable.

Call for a truce

Ahead of the holy month of Ramadan, the P5 urged that the opportunity be seized to negotiate a humanitarian truce that would prevent further casualties and ensure the delivery of vital aid. Such a step, the statement emphasized, could be an important step toward a broader ceasefire, but all efforts must be undertaken within the framework of clearly defined agreements that comply with international law, existing commitments, and relevant UN Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 2736, adopted in 2024.

International partners reaffirmed their commitment to Sudan's sovereignty, unity, independence, and territorial integrity, warning that further escalation would only exacerbate the threat to the population and infrastructure. They emphasized their readiness to facilitate inclusive political dialogue in the country, which should lead to an end to the war and lay the foundation for a peaceful political transition.

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February 11, 2026 Peace and security

Humanitarian organizations are providing emergency aid to residents of the town of Bohodukhiv in Ukraine's Kharkiv region following a drone attack overnight that killed three young children and their father. The family had recently fled from another frontline area in search of safety, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported on Wednesday.

According to field personnel, the strike occurred around midnight on February 11. The residential building was completely destroyed. The Proliska humanitarian mission reported that a father, a pregnant mother, and three children, the youngest aged one and two, were inside the house. The man, who had a disability, and the children were killed.

The woman was taken to the hospital. Doctors are providing emergency care; her condition is assessed as extremely serious, including psychologically. Humanitarian organizations plan to provide further support as soon as possible.

Neighboring homes also sustained damage: windows were blown out, roofs were destroyed, a car was burned, and outbuildings were destroyed, according to humanitarian workers. In subzero temperatures, they are helping victims seal their homes and carry out emergency repairs to retain heat and prevent further damage. They are also providing psychological support and legal advice regarding property damage.

On Sunday, February 8, a strike in Bohodukhiv killed a woman and a 10-year-old boy, and wounded three others. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs notes that this town had not previously been subjected to such intense attacks, and for this reason, it was considered a safer place for displaced persons to relocate. However, as the UN has repeatedly noted, there are virtually no safe places left in Ukraine.

Children are under constant threat

The day before, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) also reported casualties among minors.

UNICEF stated that it was shocked by reports of the deaths of a ten-year-old boy and his mother in the Kharkiv region, as well as an eleven-year-old child in the Donetsk region. According to the organization, 14 children have been injured in the past five days.

The foundation's representatives emphasized that Ukrainian children live under the constant threat of attack every day, and many young lives have already been cut short.

Humanitarian workers continue to support affected families, helping local communities cope with loss and destruction.

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February 11, 2026 Healthcare

The number of measles cases in Europe and Central Asia in 2025 has significantly decreased compared to 2024, according to preliminary data from 53 countries in the WHO European Region. However, the threat of new outbreaks remains, warn the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

In 2025, 33,998 measles cases were registered in the region—almost 75 percent fewer than the previous year, when 127,412 cases were recorded. This decline is due both to the implementation of special measures and to a gradual decline in the number of people susceptible to the infection, after many people in areas with low vaccination rates had already contracted the disease.

Operational measures and the fight against disinformation

WHO Regional Director Hans Kluge noted that over the past three years, more than 200,000 people have contracted measles in the region. Despite encouraging trends, the 2025 figures still exceed those seen in most years since 2000. In some countries, the number of cases has even exceeded the 2024 figures. Measles cases will continue to be recorded in 2026. However, many of these cases could have been prevented with more widespread routine immunization and a more rapid response to outbreaks.

“While the number of cases has decreased, the factors that led to the resurgence of this deadly disease in recent years have not gone away – and with them it is necessary to fight" said Regina de Dominicis, UNICEF Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia. She emphasized that all children should have access to vaccinations. It is also essential to combat the spread of misinformation about vaccines.

Based on country data for 2024, the European Regional Verification Commission for Measles and Rubella Elimination found that the number of countries where measles remains or has been re-established endemic has increased to 19, compared with 12 countries the previous year.

Consequences of the spread of infection

Outbreak preparedness and response, as well as achieving measles elimination, remain public health priorities in Europe and Central Asia. UNICEF and WHO, together with governments and partners, are working to prevent and contain the infection by engaging with communities, training health workers, strengthening immunization programs and surveillance systems, and conducting catch-up vaccination campaigns.

Measles is one of the most contagious viruses. A single infected person can infect up to 18 unvaccinated people, making measles approximately 12 times more contagious than the flu. In addition to hospitalization and death, the disease can lead to to severe long-term complicationsIt can also "erase" the body's immune memory of how to fight infections for months and even years to come. As a result, those who have recovered from the virus become more vulnerable to other illnesses that can be fatal.

Two doses of the measles vaccine provide up to 97 percent lifelong protection. To prevent outbreaks and achieve herd immunity—which protects both infants too young to be vaccinated and people for whom it is contraindicated for medical reasons, such as immunodeficiency—at least 95 percent of the population must be immunized.

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February 10, 2026 Peace and security

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Tuesday called on all parties involved in renewed heavy fighting in Ethiopia's Tigray region to cease hostilities, warning of the risk of further escalation of the crisis both in the north of the country and beyond.

"The situation remains extremely volatile, and we fear further deterioration, which will worsen the already dire human rights and humanitarian situation in the region," Türk said.

Echo of a previous conflict

The latest events in Tigray are a continuation of the bloody 2020–2022 conflict between government forces and separatist forces in the region, sparked by rising tensions between federal and local authorities. Tens of thousands of people have been killed and more than two million forced to flee their homes during the clashes, which reportedly involved troops from neighboring Eritrea. About a million of them remain internally displaced.

Between Two Fires

According to the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR), the new escalation has led to intensified fighting between the Ethiopian National Defence Forces and Tigray regional security forces near the border with Amhara state.

"Both sides have used drones, artillery, and other heavy weapons," Türk noted. "Civilians are once again caught in the crossfire, while both sides are reportedly arresting people suspected of having ties to the other side. This must stop."

Meanwhile, clashes continue in south and southeast Tigray between federal troops and the Tigray Peace Forces, a rival group, the High Commissioner added.

"All sides must step back from the brink and seek a political solution to their differences," Türk said. "Reports of serious violations or abuses must be promptly and independently investigated."

The Call of the Turk

Speaking to journalists in Geneva, High Commissioner Ravina Shamdasani warned that new clashes could erupt "at any moment," with grave consequences for the civilian population. She reiterated Türk's call for all parties to reaffirm their commitment to the Pretoria Ceasefire Agreement signed in 2022.

According to her, the warring parties must also ensure the return of internally displaced persons to their homes—this is one of the confidence-building measures envisaged by the agreement. "This process is not going as smoothly as it should," she noted.

A threat to the stability of the entire region

The High Commissioner also warned that recent tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea could exacerbate already serious human rights concerns and worsen the humanitarian situation in both countries, as well as throughout the Horn of Africa region.

"We call for disputes to be resolved politically, not through violence," said Ravina Shamdasani. "We remember what happened in 2020-2021, when the conflict in Tigray escalated into a full-scale war… We cannot afford to return to that scenario."

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