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December 12, 2025 Sustainable Development Goals

Per capita availability of renewable water resources continues to decline, having fallen by another 7 percent over the past ten years, according to a new AQUASTAT database review published today by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

We are talking about freshwater resources that are renewed annually by the natural hydrological cycle. According to the FAO, Central Asia has lost 12 percent of its available renewable water resources per capita since 2015, one of the highest rates in the world.

To measure the level of water scarcity, FAO experts use an indicator called "water stress," or the level of pressure on water resources. It reflects the ratio of water withdrawal to available water. Central Asia faces water stress due to its water use patterns: agriculture accounts for 82 percent of all water withdrawals in Central Asia.

Despite this, according to FAO, positive trends in resource management have been recorded in the region. For example, total freshwater withdrawals decreased by 9 percent (from 123 million m³ in 2015 to 112 million m³ in 2022), and water stress levels decreased from 76.8 percent to 70.2 percent—a decrease of 8.6 percent.

Global indicators

A review of data shows that pressure on freshwater resources is increasing in all parts of the world.

In 2022, the global average water stress level reached 18 percent, but in some regions it is significantly higher:

North Africa – 121 percent; South Asia – 76.7 percent; Central Asia – 70.2 percent; West Asia – 65.1 percent.

High levels of stress mean that annual water withdrawals approach or exceed natural replenishment, threatening the sustainability of aquatic ecosystems and economies.

Agriculture remains the largest consumer of water

FAO notes that agriculture remains the largest water-using sector in the world.

Europe and North America, however, use a relatively small share of water in agriculture – 34 percent – but are responsible for almost half of global industrial withdrawals (47 percent).

According to FAO estimates, improvements in water use efficiency are noticeable in several regions, including Central Asia. However, high levels of stress in most arid regions highlight the need for long-term adaptation and sustainable management.

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December 12, 2025 Peace and security

United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) will complete its work On December 31, 2025, 22 years after its establishment, Mission Head Mohamed Al-Hassan spoke to UN News about the key achievements achieved over two decades and how the UN will continue to support the country.

According to the head of UNAMI, the decision to end its mission reflects new realities. "When this Mission began its work in 2003, Iraq was a very different country," Al-Hassan noted. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Iraqis themselves, as well as the support of the international community, he continued, Iraq is ready to move "to the next stage – strengthening its sovereignty and territorial integrity."

The mission was successfully completed.

Members of the Security Council, which through its resolutions established UNAMI and repeatedly extended its work, highly praised the results of its activities, the Mission's representative noted.

He added that the successful completion of UNAMI's work is reflected in the upcoming visit of the UN Secretary-General to Baghdad. Antonio Guterres will travel there on Saturday, December 13, "to participate in a ceremony where Iraqis and the diplomatic community will say 'thank you' to the UN for the work it has done."

The head of UNAMI noted three key results: improved security, holding elections, and supporting human rights.

United Nations News Service

The UN mission, Al-Hassan explained, assessed the security situation and the performance of institutions during the 2024-2025 electoral processes, including elections in the Kurdistan Region and the parliamentary elections on November 11: “These were the fairest, freest and most peaceful elections [in the country’s history].”

In addition, he said, the UN, with the support of the international community and the coalition, helped Iraqis defeat ISIS (Daesh).

Another achievement is progress in human rights. In 2026, Iraq will become a member of the UN Human Rights Council – a move Al-Hassan called "a huge achievement for a country that survived the dictatorship and terror of ISIS."

There is progress, but problems remain

He also listed the remaining challenges: preventing child marriage and gender-based violence, and protecting minority rights.

The head of UNAMI noted that the UN was deliberately striving to ensure that the advancement of women's rights became an internal Iraqi process: "What comes from outside can be perceived as an imposition. We wanted Iraqis to advance these issues themselves."

UNAMI

Furthermore, one of the most problematic issues remains the situation of internally displaced persons, numbering over a million. The situation is particularly dire for the nearly 100,000 Yazidis who remain in camps.

Al-Hassan recalled that this community "survived horrors at the hands of ISIS: girls were sold, many survived kidnappings, rape, and forced marriages." He expressed hope that the government and international partners will help people "return to the homes from which they were driven, particularly in Sinjar."

The UN remains in Iraq

A UNAMI representative clarified that the Mission's closure does not mean the UN is leaving Iraq.

"All specialized UN agencies will remain: UNICEF, the World Health Organization, the International Organization for Migration, the Office of Human Rights, the UN Development Program… Even new offices are opening – the World Bank and the IMF," he noted.

The Head of Mission emphasized that Iraq has significant economic potential, including large oil fields, and therefore the country does not need charity, but the support and cooperation of the international community.

Success story

"Iraq is a success story," Al-Hassan said.

According to him, this country—the cradle of civilization—possesses unique cultural and religious diversity. He noted that Iraq is home to Christians, Shia and Sunni Muslims, Yazidis, Sabians, Zoroastrians, Jews, and representatives of many other communities.

"This is a country that can become a model for the Middle East—an example others can follow. Therefore, my message to the international community and neighboring states is: give Iraq and the Iraqis a chance to prove they deserve the freedom they paid a very high price for," the UNAMI chief emphasized.

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December 12, 2025 Peace and security

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is plunging into a profound crisis: both the security and humanitarian situations are deteriorating. This was stated by Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix at a meeting of the UN Security Council.

The M23 offensive in South Kivu has revived fears of a wider regional escalation, as the rebel group's territorial expansion, the creation of parallel administrations and the weakening of the state presence lead to fragmentation in the east of the country.

"This development threatens not only the stability of eastern DRC, but also the stability of the entire Great Lakes region," Lacroix said.

Noting the diplomatic progress achieved through the Washington Agreements and the Doha process, Lacroix called for the implementation of resolution 2773 (2025).

The M23 offensive in South Kivu and the capture of the town of Uvira, allegedly with the support of the Rwandan Defence Forces, triggered a military escalation just days after the signing of the Washington Accords.

Congolese armed forces, supported by the Burundian armed forces and the pro-government Wazalendo militia, engaged in large-scale military operations using heavy artillery and airstrikes. These clashes resulted in casualties among military personnel and civilians, destruction of infrastructure, and significant displacement. Thousands fled across the border into Burundi and Rwanda.

Lacroix spoke about the dire humanitarian situation: there are approximately 5.35 million internally displaced persons registered in the country, and more than 24 million people are facing acute food shortages.

Doctors Without Borders head Javid Abdelmoneim reported the collapse of the healthcare system and a severe shortage of medicines. Medical facilities are being attacked.

He said both armed groups and state forces were committing serious violations, including killings, looting and sexual violence, with the vast majority of cases targeting civilians.

Lacroix stressed that the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) continues its vital work to protect the population, despite serious restrictions.

"MONUSCO will continue to carry out its mandate professionally and resolutely. With the support of the Security Council, it is ready to contribute fully to ongoing peace efforts," Lacroix said.

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December 12, 2025 Peace and security

Russia's intensified attacks on Ukraine's critical energy infrastructure puts civilians at serious risk as winter approaches, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) said today in its monthly bulletin.

The mission's experts also noted the increased use of long-range weapons and a high number of civilian casualties. At least 226 civilians were killed and 952 wounded across Ukraine in November, with more than half of all deaths and injuries attributed to the use of powerful long-range missiles and drones by Russian forces in densely populated urban areas. Hundreds of drones and missiles were often used during nighttime attacks.

“The Russian Federation’s renewed campaign against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure is seriously disrupting the delivery of essential services on which civilians depend,” said Danielle Bell, Head of the HRMMU.

"Millions of families are now forced to live for long periods without electricity, heat and water, and these difficulties are exacerbated as the days get shorter and temperatures drop," she added.

In November, according to the mission, the Russian Federation carried out five large-scale, combined attacks on energy infrastructure. The attacks caused widespread power outages in most regions, lasting over 36 hours in some areas. Heating and water supplies were also disrupted in several locations.

Similar attacks continued in December. For example, on December 4, several long-range drones struck a substation in Odessa, leaving the city without power for several days.

Local residents told HRMMU staff that their neighbors, including elderly and disabled people, were unable to leave their apartments for several days during the power outages due to the outage of their elevators. Even after power was restored, the elevators remained unsafe due to power surges. Volunteers brought food and water to those who were unable to move. Many were forced to store food on their balconies because their refrigerators were not working.

Read also:

WHO is helping Ukrainian hospitals cope with heating and water supply disruptions.

Some buildings had no heating, as it relied on electricity. Temperatures in apartments where windows had been blown out were plummeting. One resident said, "It's 12 degrees Celsius in my apartment now, and it's dark because the windows were boarded up after the attack."

Following emergency power outages, most regions of Ukraine are experiencing long-term scheduled power outages, which currently last up to 16 hours a day.

A social worker in southern Ukraine told HRMMU staff about the serious difficulties her clients face, describing in particular the situation of an 87-year-old woman: "It's extremely difficult for her to survive now, as she's completely dependent on power outages. When the power comes on for a few hours during the day, she must make the most of this time to cook, eat hot food and stay warm, stock up on running water, do laundry, and do housework. For an elderly person living alone, this is impossible."

The increase in long-range strikes by the Russian Federation is also the primary cause of the rising civilian casualties documented by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in 2025. For example, between January and November 2024, drone and long-range missile strikes killed 509 civilians and injured 2,462. During the same period in 2025, civilian deaths from long-range weapons increased by 27 percent to 645, while the number of injured increased by 68 percent to 4,123.

Russia's combined attack on Ternopil on November 19, using missiles and long-range drones, killed at least 38 civilians, including 18 women, 12 men, four girls, and four boys, and wounded 99 others, including 17 children. This is the highest civilian casualty toll recorded in a single incident since the October 2023 strike on a café in the village of Groza in the Kharkiv region, where a funeral service was taking place.

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December 12, 2025 Humanitarian aid

Tens of thousands of people are believed to be trapped in the Sudanese city of El Fasher, cut off from vital supplies and services. However, UN humanitarian agencies report that they will soon be able to access the besieged capital of North Darfur.

Humanitarian officials say the situation in El Fasher is "beyond dire." "We know there could be between 70,000 and 100,000 people trapped inside the city," said Ross Smith, the World Food Programme (WFP)'s emergency director.

The Rapid Intervention Forces, which have been waging war against the Sudanese Armed Forces since April 2023, captured El Fasher in October after a 500-day siege. During the siege, people were reduced to eating peanut husks and animal feed. warned earlier At the UN Human Rights Office, satellite images revealed the bloody remains of mass killings of civilians and ethnically motivated executions.

Access for humanitarian organizations

UN humanitarian agencies emphasize that access to El Fasher remains a top priority. Meanwhile, communications blackouts have effectively left residents without any means of contact with outsiders.

Sudanese who fled the city described "massacres, burned bodies and abandoned markets," Smith said.

Read also:

INTERVIEW | Sudan conflict: UN documents all violations to ensure justice is served

"As I understand it, following yesterday's discussions, we have reached an agreement in principle with the RSF regarding the minimum conditions for access to the city. Therefore, we expect to conduct an initial assessment and reconnoiter the situation soon. After more than a year and a half of siege, vital resources have been completely destroyed," he added.

Mass displacement

Smith noted that those who managed to escape from El Fasher had to risk their lives moving along roads littered with mines and unexploded ordnance.

Many reached Tawila, a once-small desert town now a "massive settlement" with over 650,000 people—comparable to the population of Luxembourg. Others found refuge in the town of El Debba in the Northern State.

According to Smith, humanitarian aid convoys supported by the WFP are “already on their way to Tawila with supplies enough for 700,000 people for the next month.”

"These families have endured months of famine and widespread violence. Now they live in overcrowded conditions and receive extremely limited aid. There are insufficient shelters, and many are forced to live in primitive structures made of grass and straw. Cholera and other diseases are widespread," he emphasized.

12 million people have fled their homes

Sudan continues to face the world's largest humanitarian crisis of forced displacement. More than 12 million people have fled their homes, either across borders or to other parts of the country.

Meanwhile, on Friday, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported a deterioration since December 1. security situation in the Kordofan regionAfter a week of intense fighting, the SRF reportedly captured a Sudanese army base in Babanusa, West Kordofan.

In Southern Kordofan, civilians remain in besieged towns, including Kadugli and Dilling. Women, children, and the elderly are seeking refuge. "Men and young people often remain behind due to the heightened risks they face en route, including detention by armed groups on suspicion of affiliation with one side or the other," UNHCR stated.

The latest figures indicate that more than 40,000 people have fled the affected areas of Northern Kordofan since November 18. "UNHCR, with the support of partners, is providing emergency assistance to displaced people, but access remains difficult and resources are extremely limited," the agency emphasized.

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December 11, 2025 Healthcare

A World Health Organization (WHO) expert committee has reaffirmed that there is no causal link between vaccines and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The WHO made this statement following a new analysis of global scientific evidence.

At its meeting on November 27, the WHO Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety reviewed the results of 31 major studies published between 2010 and August 2025. The analysis covered data from multiple countries and included an assessment of both vaccines in general and products containing thiomersal, a preservative sometimes used to prevent contamination in multi-dose vials.

Vaccines are safe

The committee noted that the analysis confirmed the safety of the vaccines for children and pregnant women, as well as the absence of a causal link with autism spectrum disorders.

Experts also examined concerns regarding some vaccines that contain small amounts of aluminum salts, which boost the body's immune response. The assessment utilized studies published over more than two decades, as well as a large Danish study that included children born between 1997 and 2018.

The WHO committee concluded that available data do not establish a link between aluminum used in some vaccines and ASD. Aluminum salts have been used safely for many decades.

Following the review, the expert group confirmed previous findings made in 2002, 2004 and 2012: “Vaccines, including those containing thiomersal and/or aluminum, do not cause autism.”

The WHO has called on governments to ensure that vaccination policies are based on scientific evidence, noting that "global efforts to immunize children represent one of the greatest achievements in improving living conditions and societal well-being." The WHO estimates that vaccines have saved at least 154 million lives over the past 50 years.

Debate in the US

On September 24, the WHO issued a statement amid renewed political debate over vaccination in the United States. At the time, the WHO cautioned against reviving theories linking vaccines to autism, emphasizing that "there is a robust and extensive evidence base that childhood vaccines do not cause autism."

Studies that claimed otherwise, the WHO said, were flawed and have long been disproven.

The organization reiterated that independent research over many years consistently leads to the same conclusion: vaccines are safe, effective, and crucial for public health. The WHO stated that it will continue to review new data and advise countries based on the best scientific evidence.

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December 11, 2025 Peace and security

Since October 7, 2023, when Palestinian armed groups attacked southern Israel, triggering a full-scale Israeli offensive against the enclave, more than 70,000 Palestinians have been killed, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) reported on Thursday.

According to OHCHR, 94 percent of hospitals in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed, leaving thousands of pregnant women and newborns without essential medical care.

"The Israeli blockade also prevented the entry of items vital to the survival of civilians, including medicines and nutrients to support pregnancies and ensure safe deliveries," the Office said in a statement.

By the end of 2024, compared to pre-war levels, women in Gaza were three times more likely to die in childbirth and three times more likely to lose a child. The neonatal mortality rate also increased, according to the OHCHR.

Destroyed hospitals, killed doctors

Israeli strikes destroyed many maternity wards and neonatal intensive care units. A December 2023 attack on a major fertility clinic resulted in the loss of over 4,000 embryos and 1,000 reproductive samples.

Medical staff have also been targeted, the OHCHR said, citing Palestinian Ministry of Health data showing that 1,722 medical workers had been killed by September 2025.

Gynecologist Ambereen Slimi, who volunteered in Gaza, told OHCHR: “While we were going through the wards, shells were exploding all around us… Sometimes drones would fly in and try to shoot at nurses or literally chase them through the hospital corridors.”

According to her, pregnant women were admitted to the hospital with gunshot wounds, including to the abdomen: "Many women were too seriously wounded to survive. If their wounds didn't cause death, sepsis often took their lives, as there was a shortage of medications and antibiotics."

The hunger factor

The Israeli blockade has caused severe shortages of food and infant formula. As of October 2025, 463 Palestinians, including 157 children, have died of malnutrition, according to the enclave's Ministry of Health.

Jonathan Kricks of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), who is in Gaza, told the UN News Service that children and their families are currently surviving the winter in makeshift tents: "Everything is completely damp, the mattresses are soaked, the children's clothes are soaked. It's extremely difficult to live in these conditions."

He warned of a rise in cases of acute watery diarrhoea and fears of further outbreaks: "With poor sanitation and a dilapidated sewage system, we are extremely concerned about the spread of waterborne diseases."

New barriers in the West Bank

The OHCHR also expressed concern about Israel's construction of a new barrier and road in the Jordan Valley.

The head of the Authority's office in the occupied Palestinian territory, Ajit Sungai, said it would "divide Palestinian communities and cut off Palestinian farmers from the land they own on the other side of the planned barrier."

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December 11, 2025 UN

The top news of the day at the UN and around the world: escalating violence in eastern DR Congo, a deadly attack on a hospital in Myanmar, a report from the Commission on Venezuela, and the WHO confirming the absence of a link between vaccinations and autism.

Violence in the DR Congo

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres extremely concerned about escalation in South Kivu province, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). More than 200,000 people have fled their homes since December 2 as a result of violence. The UN chief called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in accordance with Security Council resolution 2773 (2025) and compliance with the obligations under the Washington Accords signed on December 4. The UN stands ready to work with partners to deliver humanitarian aid and support diplomatic efforts to restore peace in eastern DRC and the region.

Attacks in Myanmar

The UN condemned airstrikes in Rakhine State, Myanmar, which reportedly hit a district hospital the day before. More than 30 civilians were reportedly killed and over 70 injured, including patients and medical staff. The World Health Organization has confirmed 67 attacks on health facilities in Myanmar this year. The UN calls on all parties to comply with their obligations under international law. Meanwhile, the 2026 humanitarian plan for Myanmar, presented on Wednesday, includes $890 million in funding to assist 16.2 million people.

Violations in Venezuela

The Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela stated that members of the country's National Guard have been committing serious human rights violations and crimes against humanity for more than a decade. new mission reportThe document contains a detailed analysis of the internal structure and chain of command of the National Guard. The report notes that members of this unit are involved in arbitrary killings, unlawful detentions, sexual and gender-based violence, torture, and other cruel treatment.

Vaccines and autism

The World Health Organization's expert committee reiterated the lack of a causal link. between vaccine use and autism spectrum disordersA new review of global scientific evidence analyzed the results of studies from several countries, both on vaccinations in general and specifically on the preservative thimerosal. According to the committee, the review "conclusively confirms the positive safety profile of vaccines used for children and pregnant women" and "confirms the absence of a causal link to autism spectrum disorders."

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December 11, 2025 Peace and security

Escalating clashes in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo have killed more than 70 civilians, forced over 200,000 people to flee their homes, and deprived thousands of people of food aid. Against this backdrop, the UN is warning of a rapidly growing humanitarian crisis that is already spreading beyond the country's borders.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that the situation in South Kivu province has deteriorated sharply since December 2 due to heavy fighting in several areas.

Fighters from the armed group M23 entered the key town of Uvira on Wednesday, according to media reports, and local residents say an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty reigns.

"The Secretary-General is deeply concerned about the escalation of violence in South Kivu and its humanitarian consequences, including the displacement of more than 200,000 people since 2 December," said a statement issued by the UN chief's spokesman.

Antonio Guterres He strongly condemned the M23 offensive in the province. He called for an immediate and unconditional cessation of hostilities in accordance with Security Council Resolution 2773.

According to Radio Okapi, the radio station of the UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, since the beginning of December, clashes between Congolese forces and armed groups have killed more than 74 civilians and injured at least 83. Thousands have fled across the border into Burundi and Rwanda.

Most displaced people in South Kivu itself are sheltering in overcrowded shelters with poor sanitation. Women and girls in these centers are at risk of violence.

Suspension of food aid

Humanitarian programmes, including food aid and medical support, cannot be implemented due to instability.

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has suspended operations across South Kivu, leaving 25,000 people without food aid, UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq said.

"Host families, who are already experiencing extreme food insecurity themselves, are sharing their last remaining food supplies with the displaced families," Hak told reporters in New York.

At least 32 WFP-supported schools in Uvira closed classes to provide shelter to displaced families. More than 12,000 children were left without hot school meals, which for many are their only nutritious meal.

Humanitarian organizations warn that food supplies in the region could run out within weeks unless access and funding are restored.

The crisis could become regional

"The humanitarian consequences of the crisis are already extending beyond the country's borders," Hack said, noting that nearly 25,000 people crossed the border into Burundi between December 5 and 8. People are also fleeing to Rwanda.

In both countries, humanitarian organizations and authorities are expanding emergency relief operations, including providing hot food, clean water and medical services.

The escalation is occurring despite diplomatic efforts to reduce regional tensions. Last week, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda signed a peace agreement backed by the United States, which the UN called a "critical step" toward restoring trust.

The crisis deepens due to lack of funding

A lack of funding is exacerbating the humanitarian emergency. The humanitarian response plan in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is only 22 percent funded, leaving a $2 billion shortfall. In Burundi, less than $33 million has been mobilized, while nearly $77 million is needed.

“We call on all parties to the conflict to immediately cease hostilities, respect international humanitarian law, protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, and ensure safe, rapid and unimpeded access for humanitarian organizations,” Haq said.

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December 11, 2025 International law

The Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela stated that members of the country's National Guard have committed serious human rights violations and crimes against humanity for over a decade, according to a report published Thursday.

The document, prepared during the mission's work by Marta Valiñas, Francisco Cox Vial, and Patricia Tappata Valdés, contains a detailed analysis of the internal structure and chain of command of the National Guard. The report notes that members of this unit are implicated in arbitrary killings, illegal detentions, sexual and gender-based violence, torture, and other cruel treatment. These practices have been committed both during protests and as part of targeted political persecution since 2014.

"The facts we have documented demonstrate the role of the National Guard in the systematic and coordinated suppression of opponents, or those perceived as such. This has been going on for over ten years," stated mission chair Marta Valiñas. She emphasized that this situation requires decisive action by national and international mechanisms to hold those responsible accountable.

Uncontrolled powers

The report states that Venezuela's national security doctrine effectively merged military and police functions, legitimizing the militarization of the public security sector and expanding the National Guard's authority to suppress dissent. The centralized command system, with the president as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, enabled illegal actions to be carried out without any oversight or accountability.

During protests in 2014, 2017, 2019, and 2024, the National Guard used excessive force, including firearms and modified ammunition, to inflict maximum harm. The mission also documented mass detentions, physical violence during arrests, evidence fabrication, torture, and sexual violence in National Guard buildings used as temporary detention centers.

"Part of a systematic practice"

"Torture, cruel treatment, and acts of sexual violence, including rape, were not isolated incidents. They were part of a systematic pattern," Valiñas noted.

According to civil society, the National Guard was responsible for the largest number of politically motivated arrests in 2019–2020. In 2024, the Guard played a key role in Operation Tun Tun, which targeted government opponents with baseless charges of terrorism and incitement to hatred.

The mission uncovered a persistent pattern of impunity perpetuated by the Venezuelan judicial system: delays in investigations, manipulation of evidence, deliberate obstruction of justice by the National Guard, and the restriction of accountability to only the lowest ranks.

The report concludes that there are reasonable grounds to believe that National Guard members, as well as high-ranking military and political leaders, may be criminally liable under the Rome Statute.

“The Mission has reasonable grounds to believe that members of the National Guard have made a significant contribution to the commission of crimes [by the Venezuelan authorities], including arbitrary detention, torture, gender-based violence and persecution,” Valiñas concluded.

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