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February 9, 2026 Human rights

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk sharply criticized the sentence handed down Monday to 78-year-old media mogul Jimmy Lai. A Hong Kong court sentenced him to 20 years in prison on national security charges.

In December 2025, Lai was found guilty of "conspiracy to publish inflammatory materials" and two counts of "colluding with foreign forces" under the National Security Law. Lai denies all charges.

UN: Sentence criminalizes freedom of expression

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) stated that it had reviewed the verdict and was concerned that it effectively criminalized the exercise of internationally protected freedoms of expression, press, and association. OHCHR was particularly concerned that the charges were based on actions committed before the entry into force of the National Security Law.

The Office has previously warned that the law's overly broad definition of "collusion with external forces" could affect the legitimate activities of civil society and journalists, including interaction with international human rights mechanisms.

"Jimmy Lai is a publisher sentenced to 20 years in prison for exercising rights protected by international law," Türk said. "This verdict demonstrates that vague and overly broad provisions of national security legislation can be applied in violation of Hong Kong's international obligations. The sentence must be immediately overturned as incompatible with international law."

The OHCHR chief also called for Lai's release on humanitarian grounds, given his age, health condition and more than four years of detention.

Press freedom in Hong Kong is deteriorating.

Volker Türk also expressed concern that the judgment mentioned the interaction of other individuals with UN mechanisms as "a context that contributed to the admission of guilt."

Since the enactment of the National Security Law, press freedom in Hong Kong has deteriorated sharply. Many independent media outlets have closed, dozens of journalists have been arrested, and foreign reporters have faced stricter visa and accreditation requirements.

"This is part of a broader repressive trend in which hundreds of people have been arrested and prosecuted," Türk stressed.

Other sentences and statistics

Along with Lai, six other former employees of Apple Daily, a publication he owned, as well as an activist and a lawyer, were convicted on Monday. They received sentences ranging from six to ten years.

According to media reports citing official sources, at least 385 people were arrested in Hong Kong on national security charges between 2020 and 2026, 175 of whom were convicted.

Call for legislative reform

The High Commissioner reiterated his call for the release of all individuals arbitrarily detained under repressive laws, and for their cases to be quashed or reviewed in accordance with international standards. He reaffirmed his commitment to working with the Hong Kong authorities to bring the legislative framework into line with international law, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which remains in effect in Hong Kong.

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February 9, 2026 Refugees and migrants

Fifty-three migrants, including two infants, are dead or missing after a large inflatable boat capsized off the coast of Libya, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported on Monday.

The vessel capsized in icy waters in the central Mediterranean Sea north of the coastal town of Zuwara on Friday, according to the UN agency.

This is just the most recent tragic episode.in a series of incidents, involving displaced people who are vulnerable and often become victims of abuse and human trafficking. Smuggling networks have flourished in Libya since the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, the IOM notes.

The organization reported that Libyan authorities rescued two women from Nigeria after the sinking; one said her husband had drowned, and the other said both her babies had died. They said the boat was carrying migrants and refugees from several African countries. The boat departed Zawiya around 11:00 PM on Thursday. About six hours later, it began taking on water, after which it capsized.

While it's still unknown where exactly the people were headed, many boats carrying migrants and refugees leaving Libya are heading for the Italian island of Lampedusa, located approximately 350 kilometers from Zawiya. As UN humanitarian agencies have repeatedly warned, the open rubber boats often used to make the journey are completely unsuitable for such a journey.

According to the IOM, at least 375 people died or went missing in the central Mediterranean in January alone. The agency emphasized that many other tragedies likely remain unknown to authorities and international organizations.

Smugglers and human traffickers continue to prey on desperate people, sending them to sea on unseaworthy vessels, the IOM noted, reiterating its call for closer international cooperation and the creation of safe and legal migration routes.

Since the beginning of the year, according to the agency, 781 migrants have been "intercepted and returned" to Libya, 244 of them last week alone. Over the entire past year, there were 27,116 such people, with 1,314 reported dead or missing.

Underground detention centers

"IOM does not consider Libya a safe port for migrants," the organization emphasized, citing the dangers they face. New mass graves and detention sites were recently discovered in the east of the country.

Following a government raid on an illegal detention centre in Ajdabiya, the IOM said its investigation found that victims were held captive and tortured to force their families to pay ransom.

In Kufra, authorities discovered an underground detention facility three meters below ground. A total of 221 migrants or refugees, including women, children, and a one-month-old infant, were released. "Initial information indicates that people were held there for extended periods in extremely inhumane conditions," the IOM stated.

Voluntary return

To assist displaced people, IOM organizes voluntary flights home. Last week, for example, one such flight was provided for Pakistani citizens in Tripoli. At the end of January, the agency also assisted 177 Nigerian migrants in returning home on another voluntary humanitarian flight.

In an effort to dismantle human trafficking networks and support victims, the agency works with national and regional authorities, strengthening cross-border cooperation.

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February 8, 2026 Peace and security

UN Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned the escalating violence across South Sudan, which is causing suffering among civilians. The UN chief noted that nearly 10 million people – more than two-thirds of the population – currently require humanitarian assistance.

He expressed concern about fighting, attacks and looting affecting humanitarian and medical facilities, as well as restrictions on movement and insecurity along key supply routes.

These conditions are "paralyzing humanitarian operations and leading to the closure of essential services," the UN chief said in a statement.

Attacks on medical facilities

Since the end of December, at least 11 medical facilities have been attacked in Jonglei State alone. Twelve vehicles, including an ambulance, were also seized during the attacks.

In the past week alone, the statement noted, incidents included “attacks on a World Food Programme (WFP) convoy, an airstrike on a hospital run by leading NGO Doctors Without Borders, and the burning of a Save the Children field office and the destruction of its health centre.”

"This blatant disregard for medical and humanitarian operations is unacceptable and must stop. Such activities must be supported and respected," the Secretary-General said.

Mass displacement of population

Violence in South Sudan has led to massive displacement, with more than 370,000 people reportedly forced from their homes since the beginning of the year, including over 280,000 in Jonglei State.

South Sudan, the world's newest state, gained independence from Khartoum in 2011 but soon descended into a brutal civil conflict marked by political rivalries, ethnic violence and repeated breakdowns in peace agreements.

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February 6, 2026 Healthcare

The World Health Organization has launched its 2026 Humanitarian Appeal for Ukraine, requesting $42 million to ensure access to healthcare for 700,000 people.

The funds are intended to strengthen emergency and trauma care, maintain and restore the primary health care system, improve the preparedness of state and local structures, and coordinate the medical evacuation of patients in need of specialized care.

Attacks on healthcare facilities

Due to fighting and attacks on civilian infrastructure, people across the country are in dire need of medical care. Since the beginning of 2022, the WHO has recorded at least 2,841 attacks on healthcare facilities.

Repeated strikes on critical energy infrastructure have severely damaged the power grid, increasingly leading to disruptions to healthcare services. More than 3.5 million people remain internally displaced, increasing the burden on already overstretched services in host areas.

"Our recent estimates show that more than two-thirds of Ukrainians report worse health than before the war, and mental health problems affect almost half the population," said Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe. "Ukrainian health workers continue to work in extremely challenging conditions, including in areas where their lives are at immediate risk."

Five key priorities

WHO has identified five key priorities for 2026. First, the organization and its partners will continue to support trauma care and emergency medical services in frontline and affected areas by expanding surge capacity, ensuring the supply of essential medicines, and maintaining continuity of treatment.

Secondly, access to basic healthcare will be ensured in the 0-20 km zone from the frontline, where needs are most acute. Support will focus on primary care, trauma care, treatment of non-communicable diseases, mental health, and safe patient referral routes.

Third, WHO and partners will continue to support integrated health services for internally displaced people and evacuees along displacement routes and in transit centres.

Fourth, the organization will continue to facilitate the safe medical evacuation of wounded and seriously ill patients from frontline areas.

Finally, WHO will continue to coordinate the work of over 200 humanitarian partners in Ukraine. This includes strengthening health information systems, surveillance, gender-based violence prevention, and supporting the health system's emergency preparedness.

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February 6, 2026 Peace and security

UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Friday welcomed the resumption of talks between Iran and the United States. The countries returned to dialogue after weeks of tensions over Iran's nuclear program and threats of a possible military strike by the United States.

According to media reports, indirect talks took place in Oman between delegations led by US Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

This marked the first meeting between the two sides since June of last year, when the US and Israel launched airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. The talks are taking place as the United States amasses forces off the coast of Iran, including a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.

Reducing regional tensions

UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq said the Secretary-General expressed hope that the talks "will help reduce regional tensions and prevent a wider crisis."

Guterres also expressed gratitude to countries in the region for their efforts to facilitate the talks, in particular Oman for providing the venue.

"The Secretary-General consistently advocates for de-escalation and peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with the UN Charter. All issues can and should be resolved through peaceful dialogue," Haq stated.

The need to investigate the deaths of protesters

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on Friday called for an investigation into reports of deaths and other violations during recent protests in Iran.

Demonstrations began in late December after shopkeepers in the capital, Tehran, took to the streets to express their discontent over the collapse of the national currency, soaring inflation and deteriorating living conditions.

Anti-government protests eventually spread across the country. Authorities suppressed them with brutal methods. The country's leadership released a list of the names of more than 2,900 people confirmed dead.

However, as OHCHR representative Tamin Al-Khitan told reporters in Geneva, according to data from other sources, the death toll is significantly higher.

Al-Khitan said it was extremely difficult to verify information for a number of reasons, including communications and internet outages.

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February 6, 2026 UN

On Friday, the 25th Winter Olympic Games officially opened in Italy, taking place in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo. UN Secretary-General António Guterres and General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock attended the opening ceremony.

The UN chief addressed the Games' participants in a video message, emphasizing that the Olympic and Paralympic Games remain a symbol of human potential, teamwork, fair play, and mutual respect.

“Thanks to your dedication and perseverance, we see what a united world can be – and what humanity can achieve when we strive for better,” he said.

The Secretary General also recalled the significance of the Olympic Truce, emphasizing that its essence is simple: “the only rivalry between states should take place in the sporting arena, not on the battlefield.”

He called on all parties to armed conflicts to respect this tradition, the importance of which has recently been reaffirmed by the UN General Assembly.

“Let us strive together – for gold, but above all for peace,” Guterres emphasized.

Concluding his speech, the Secretary General wished the participants good luck: “Thank you and good luck.”

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February 6, 2026 UN

The top news of the day at the UN and around the world: the head of the UN welcomed the resumption of dialogue between the US and Iran, the UN commented on the spraying of toxic substances by Israeli forces near the demarcation line between Israel and Lebanon, the Secretary-General condemned the terrorist attack in Islamabad, 4.5 million girls could become victims of genital mutilation this year.

US-Iran negotiations

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres He welcomed the resumption of talks between Iran and the United States and expressed hope that they will help reduce regional tensions and prevent a wider crisis. The UN chief expressed gratitude to the countries of the region for their efforts to facilitate these talks, particularly to Oman for providing the forum. All problems can and must be resolved through peaceful dialogue, the UN chief said in a statement.

The Blue Line between Lebanon and Israel

Commenting on reports that Israeli forces sprayed a highly toxic herbicide over areas north of the Blue Line separating Lebanon and Israel on February 1, the UN stated that this poses a threat to civilians living there. Alexandra Vellucci, a spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR), said at a briefing in Geneva that the use of herbicides could also negatively impact local agricultural lands and pose a serious obstacle to the return of the population. She noted that any activity by Israeli forces in areas north of the Blue Line constitutes a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

Terrorist attack in Pakistan

The Secretary-General condemned in the strongest terms today's terrorist attack on a mosque in Islamabad, Pakistan. According to media reports, a suicide bomber detonated an explosive device, killing more than 30 people and injuring approximately 170. The UN chief stated that attacks on civilians and places of worship are unacceptable. He called for those responsible to be held accountable and expressed solidarity with the government and people of Pakistan in their efforts to combat terrorism and extremism.

Female circumcision

230 million women and girls worldwide have undergone female genital mutilation, or FGM. By 2026, 4.5 million girls could be affected by this procedure, according to the UN, which announced this on the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, celebrated on February 6. Efforts to eliminate FGM have begun to yield results over the past three decades, but progress is slow. The UN's goal of completely ending the practice by 2030 will not be achieved without greater efforts.

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February 6, 2026 Economic development

Ten years ago, many experts predicted that driverless cars would become commonplace on the roads by 2020. However, despite impressive technological progress, the task proved more challenging than expected, requiring extensive research and development, as well as the creation of a clear and robust regulatory framework.

The draft Global Regulation on Automated Driving Systems (ADS) was presented after a decade of technological development and two years of intensive consultations. It will enable the introduction of fully autonomous vehicles, requiring no driver control, onto the roads.

The regulation, approved by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Working Party on Automated, Autonomous and Connected Vehicles at its meeting from 19 to 23 January, establishes uniform safety requirements and a unified methodology for testing vehicles equipped with ACB.

"The completion of the project demonstrates the global significance of regulatory platforms developed at the UN. Harmonized rules developed at the EEC are essential to prevent fragmentation of national approaches, maximize savings, and support safety and innovation in the automotive industry," said UNECE Executive Secretary Tatiana Molchan.

"Safety, innovation, and public trust can thrive simultaneously. By working globally, we provide clarity for the industry and confidence for consumers," noted Working Group Chair Richard Damm.

Next steps

The draft regulation builds on the 2022 Framework Document on Automated Vehicles, which sets out key safety and security principles and recommendations on requirements, assessments and test methods for automated vehicles, adopted in June 2024.

The document will be submitted to the UNECE World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations. It is expected to be adopted at its next session, scheduled for 23–26 June 2026. If approved by the World Forum, the regulation will enter into force immediately.

The Path to Global Implementation

In late January, the U.S. Department of Transportation released a formal list of questions on the draft regulation to help shape its official position for the June vote.

China also announced it would develop a national standard based on the global regulation's structure and begin collecting comments. Japan expressed satisfaction with the process and welcomed the outcome. Several European countries also supported the creation of a global regulation.

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February 6, 2026 Economic development

The Global Food Price Index fell in January. The indicator has been declining for five consecutive months, according to data released Friday by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The decline was primarily due to lower prices for dairy products, sugar, and meat.

The average value is 0.4 percent lower than December's level and 0.6 percent lower than the same period a year ago. However, the dynamics across individual categories were mixed.

Grain prices

The FAO Grain Index rose by 0.2 percent, despite a slight decline in global wheat and maize prices. Ample wheat stocks offset weather risks for winter crops in Russia and the United States, while maize stocks offset the impact of unfavorable weather in Argentina and Brazil and increased ethanol demand in the United States. The rice price index increased by 1.8 percent.

Vegetable oil prices

The vegetable oil price index rose 2.1 percent. Global palm oil prices rose due to a seasonal decline in production in Southeast Asia and robust import demand, while soybean oil prices rose due to reduced export supplies from South America and expectations of strong demand for biofuels in the United States.

Sunflower oil prices also increased due to limited supply in the Black Sea region. Meanwhile, rapeseed oil prices fell due to significant imports into the European Union.

The cost of meat

The meat price index decreased by 0.4 percent. The decline was driven by low pork prices, driven by abundant global supply and weak demand. Poultry prices, on the other hand, increased, primarily due to higher prices in Brazil, where export demand remains strong.

Beef and lamb prices remained stable, with increased shipments from Brazil to China offsetting the rapid filling of the duty-free quota from the US.

Prices for dairy products

The dairy price index fell by five percent. Cheese and butter saw the biggest price declines, thanks to ample supply. Meanwhile, skim milk powder prices rose amid renewed demand from the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Asia.

The cost of sugar

Sugar prices fell by one percent. The FAO attributes this to expectations of increased global supply this season, thanks to a recovery in production in India, favorable forecasts for Thailand, and positive trends in Brazil.

Grain production forecast

At the same time, the FAO published an updated forecast for global cereal production. The total volume is expected to reach 3.023 billion tonnes, a record high.

The upward revision of the forecast is due to larger-than-expected wheat harvests in Argentina, Canada, and the EU, as well as expanded corn plantings and higher yields in China and the US. Rice production is also expected to increase, primarily in India, Bangladesh, Brazil, China, and Indonesia.

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