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October 16, 2025 Refugees and migrants

UN Committee on the Rights of the Child The Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) held France responsible for "serious and systematic" violations of the rights of unaccompanied minors. Many of them are left homeless, deprived of basic care, and living in conditions the Committee described as "degrading" and "contrary to human dignity."

In a report published today, the CRC experts welcomed France's view of unaccompanied minors primarily as children in need of care and protection, who should be given a place in the child protection system.

Presumption of minority

However, as the Committee has noted, a significant number of individuals claiming to be children are, through a series of "erroneous" procedures, recognized as adults. Such assessments are often based on appearance or unreliable medical examinations, conducted without the presence of a trusted adult, legal guardian, or lawyer. As a result, children are systematically denied access to the protection system.

The presumption of minority, which is supposed to protect a child until proven otherwise, applies in France only until the initial age determination is made. Those whose age is contested or whose appeals are pending are denied support, leaving them to survive on the streets, in parks, or in temporary camps without adequate food, water, medical care, or education. They remain in this situation until a final court decision is made. The proportion of those ultimately declared minors ranges from 50 to 80 percent.

Violations of children's rights

"These children are at high risk of human trafficking, violence, abuse and police abuse," the Committee added.

Experts have also documented the serious problems faced by unaccompanied minors passing through France en route to the UK. They receive no support from the protection system and live in extremely unsafe conditions.

Some minors were left in airport waiting areas or other temporary detention centers while crossing the border when their identity or right to entry was in doubt. The committee described the deprivation of liberty of such children as "disproportionate and therefore arbitrary," adding that it was detrimental to their mental health.

France has violated its obligations

While there is no official, comprehensive data on the number of child victims, CRC members stressed that the problem is widespread and long-standing, spreading across the country, including Paris and major border cities.

The committee concluded that France had violated its obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child. According to the experts' statement, "a large number of unaccompanied migrant minors suffered serious harm and long-term consequences for their physical and mental health and development."

They also found the violations to be systematic, noting "repeated instances of failure by the State party to implement legal, policy, and other measures to protect unaccompanied migrant minors living on the streets, in tents, and in temporary camps." France, for example, "systematically denied these children protection services, depriving them of access to adequate living conditions and basic services."

Following its investigation, the Committee previously made a number of recommendations to France. These included granting a presumption of childhood to individuals claiming to be minors and guaranteeing all such children access to housing, food, and water, so that no child, including those awaiting appeal, is forced to live on the street or in informal camps. France reported on the measures taken in response to the Committee's findings, including further implementation of Law No. 2022-140 on child protection and the adoption of regulations aimed at improving the placement and care of children deprived of a family environment.

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How the UN monitors compliance with key human rights treaties

The Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is composed of 18 independent experts who monitor the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child by state parties. It also monitors compliance with the Optional Protocols to the Convention on the involvement of children in armed conflict and on the sale of children, child prostitution, and child pornography.

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October 16, 2025 Peace and security

Venezuela sent a letter to the UN Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council in connection with the escalation of the situation between the country and the United States, UN Secretary-General's spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in response to journalists' questions at a UN briefing in New York.

Late last week, the Security Council held an emergency meeting at Venezuela's request amid reports of an expanding US military presence off the coast of South America.

On September 2, the US government announced that the US military had struck a vessel suspected of carrying drugs in international waters in the Caribbean Sea. Additional airstrikes against vessels suspected of carrying drugs were carried out on September 15, 16, and 19, as well as on October 3.

The UN Secretary-General "calls on both sides to reduce tensions, exercise restraint and resolve differences through peaceful means," UN Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenča said at a Security Council meeting.

At a briefing on Thursday, Dujarric was also asked to comment on reports that US President Donald Trump has authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations in Venezuela and is considering ground strikes against Venezuelan drug cartels. Dujarric said the UN is monitoring media reports and comments.

"I believe it is important for member states to maintain constructive engagement to resolve bilateral issues. Member states also need to ensure that their actions comply with international law, including the UN Charter," he said.

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October 16, 2025 UN

The main news of the day at the UN and around the world: the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, the Secretary-General on the change of government in Madagascar, clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan, World Food Day.

The situation in Gaza

UN Emergency Relief Coordinator and Deputy Secretary-General Tom Fletcher, while traveling from Cairo to Rafah, emphasized the importance of this route for delivering essential aid to Gaza. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) notes that while the Rafah crossing is closed, organizations are forced to make a lengthy detour to deliver supplies from Egypt and undergo security checks on the Israeli side at the Kerem Shalom crossing. Fletcher emphasized the need to open all crossings, which, according to him, will allow for an expansion of the scale of aid and facilitate the work of humanitarian agencies.

Instability in Madagascar

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres Strongly condemned the unconstitutional change of government in Madagascar and called for the restoration of constitutional order and the rule of law in the country. The UN chief called on all parties, including youth, to join forces to address the root causes of instability. He reaffirmed the Organization's commitment to supporting efforts to achieve this goal and noted the African Union's decision to immediately suspend Madagascar from all its bodies and institutions until constitutional order is restored.

Afghanistan and Pakistan

The UN Secretary-General is concerned by reports of armed clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan, resulting in civilian deaths and injuries. António Guterres welcomes the announcement temporary suspension of fire, and calls on the parties to agree on a lasting cessation of hostilities and engage in dialogue to protect civilians and prevent further casualties. The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan reported receiving credible reports of more than 30 civilian deaths and hundreds of casualties, including women and children.

Food Day

In his address on the occasion of World Food DayOn World Food Day, celebrated on October 16, the UN Secretary-General called for international solidarity in the fight against hunger and strengthening food security. According to the UN chief, despite significant progress achieved over the past eight decades, 673 million people worldwide go to bed hungry. Even more live in insecurity due to food shortages. Progress in the fight against hunger has slowed, and in some regions, we are seeing setbacks.

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October 16, 2025 Humanitarian aid

UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher headed to Rafah after his visit to Cairo. He noted the importance of this route for delivering aid to the Gaza Strip.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which Fletcher leads, reports that supplies from Egypt are still arriving via a bypass route and are being inspected on the Israeli side of the Kerem Shalom crossing. Opening the Rafah crossing will ensure more timely delivery of aid. Fletcher emphasized the need to open all crossings to expand humanitarian operations.

Speaking to reporters in Cairo yesterday, he stressed that humanitarian organizations had been preparing for this moment and now need full access to deliver the necessary volumes of aid.

The humanitarian community will not be able to provide assistance on the scale required without cooperation with international NGOs, the UN also stated.

"The Israeli authorities are currently denying visas to a number of international NGOs and preventing many of them from sending supplies to the Gaza Strip. At the same time, humanitarian organizations in the Gaza Strip continue to make the most of the opportunities afforded them by the ceasefire," UN Spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said at a press briefing in New York.

On Tuesday alone, UN partners distributed nearly 960,000 meals through 175 canteens, and UN-supported bakeries produced over 200,000 kilograms of bread. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) provided families in Gaza with over a million diapers. And three World Health Organization (WHO) trucks delivered medical supplies, including surgical ones, from their warehouse in Deir el-Balah to Gaza City.

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The Middle East: A Moment of Great, but Fragile, Hope

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced that these will be donated to Al-Shifa Hospital and used to treat 10,000 people. WHO also deployed an international emergency medical team to strengthen orthopedic surgery and trauma care in Gaza. WHO teams have opened two new operating rooms in Gaza and plan to add an additional 120 beds to Al-Shifa Hospital.

OCHA reports that teams from various UN agencies have completed clearing the main roads leading to the Erez and Zikim crossings in the north of the Strip.

"Today our teams are checking the Salah ad-Din road, which has not been used for several months," Dujarric said.

The UN also continues to deliver supplies, including flour, food parcels and personal hygiene items, to the Kisufim and Kerem Shalom crossings.

Staff from several UN agencies visited the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood in Gaza City, which was severely damaged by the recent military operation. Residents are attempting to return to their homes and clearing debris.

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October 16, 2025 Peace and security

The United Nations on Thursday called on Afghanistan and Pakistan to completely end armed clashes and ensure the protection of civilians.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) issued a statement welcoming a ceasefire announced Wednesday after a week of violent border clashes and airstrikes in the Afghan capital, Kabul.

Afghanistan has been under Taliban rule since 2021, and relations between the neighboring countries have deteriorated since then. Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of harboring militants who carry out attacks on its territory, something the de facto authorities deny.

Stop the violence

UNAMA reported that it had received credible reports of significant civilian casualties, including women and children, as a result of the violence.

The highest death toll was recorded in the Spin Boldak district of Kandahar province in southern Afghanistan, where fierce fighting took place between Taliban security forces and Pakistani troops on Wednesday.

While the UN mission is still confirming the exact number of casualties, preliminary information indicates that at least 17 people have been killed and another 346 injured in the area.

At least one civilian was killed and 15 others injured in earlier border clashes in Paktika, Paktia, Kunar and Helmand provinces.

"UNAMA calls on all parties to fully cease hostilities to protect civilians and prevent further casualties," the statement said.

The parties were also reminded of their obligations to respect the fundamental principles of distinction between targets of attack, proportionality and precautions to prevent civilian casualties in accordance with international law.

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October 16, 2025 Humanitarian aid

More than 212,000 children in Afghanistan are at risk of contracting acute watery diarrhea and other dangerous waterborne diseases, according to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). The increased risk of infection outbreaks is linked to consequences of the earthquake, which occurred on August 31 in eastern Afghanistan, near the border with Pakistan.

The tremors destroyed water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructure in the affected areas.

"The earthquake destroyed homes and claimed many lives, and now threatens to take even more through disease," said UNICEF Representative in Afghanistan Tajudeen Oyewale.

He noted that children in the affected areas live in overcrowded camps or temporary shelters without access to toilets and safe water.

"These are 'perfect' conditions for an impending health disaster," Oyewale stressed.

Diseases that can be prevented

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), acute watery diarrhea is one of the three leading causes of death among children under five years of age, claiming the lives of more than 400,000 children each year.

At the same time, as the WHO notes, the disease can be prevented with clean water, proper sanitation and hygiene products – these are the basic conditions now thousands of families in Afghanistan are displaced.

According to UNICEF, the earthquake destroyed 132 water sources, leaving many families without access to handwashing or safe water. In 80 percent of communities, people are forced to relieve themselves outdoors, as most toilets were also destroyed. The lack of soap and other hygiene products increases the risk of infection.

Health facilities are already reporting an increase in cases of dehydration and skin diseases, UNICEF warns.

Funding is urgently needed

UNICEF supports communities in over 60 countries, helping prevent diseases and improve sanitation. In affected areas of Afghanistan, the agency installs temporary latrines, distributes hygiene kits, and delivers drinking water by tanker truck, while simultaneously rebuilding damaged water systems.

However, according to the organization, donors have only provided half of the $21.6 million needed for the emergency response. UNICEF is calling on international partners to provide funds quickly.

The World Food Programme (WFP) also is experiencing a funding shortage – amounting to $622 million over the next six months. WFP operations are at risk not only in Afghanistan, but also in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan.

Currently, less than 10 percent of the millions of Afghans in need receive WFP food assistance.

UNICEF and its partners warn that without urgent investment, efforts to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe will be on the brink of collapse.

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October 16, 2025 Humanitarian aid

Nearly 14 million people could face acute food insecurity by the end of the year, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) warned. This is due to a sharp reduction in humanitarian funding. Six of WFP's most critical operations are at risk.

This concerns aid programs in Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Haiti, Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan, where the organization's work is already being disrupted and the situation will only worsen.

“Every cut in rations means a child goes to bed hungry, a mother goes without food, and a family loses the support they need to survive,” said WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain.

Record hunger levels

The current crisis is unfolding against the backdrop of record levels of global hunger319 million people worldwide face acute food insecurity, with 44 million of them on the brink of starvation. Sudan and Gaza have already registered full-scale famine.

This year, WFP will receive 40 percent less funding than last year, with a projected budget of $6.4 billion compared to $10 billion in 2024.

"We risk losing decades of progress in the fight against hunger," McCain stressed.

“Even hard-won gains – such as in the Sahel region, where 500,000 people have been lifted off humanitarian aid through integrated food support and sustainable development programmes – could be undone without the necessary funding,” she added.

Critical operations are at risk

Funding cuts could push 13.7 million people currently receiving food assistance into emergency situations, according to a new WFP report.

In Afghanistan, less than 10 percent of those in need receive food, despite rising malnutrition rates.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, famine has reached record levels: a quarter of the country's population—28 million people—are experiencing food insecurity. This month, 2.3 million people were supposed to be fed, but due to resource shortages, only 600,000 will receive aid, and by February, supplies may cease altogether.

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The UN Secretary-General called for global unity in the fight against hunger.

In Haiti, hot meal programs have already been suspended, and families are receiving only half the standard monthly ration.

In Somalia, 2.2 million people received support last year, but in November only 350,000 people in need will receive it.

In South Sudan, WFP is currently distributing reduced rations, and domestic stocks of some foods are running low.

In Sudan, where civil war is raging, WFP provides assistance to 4 million people every month, but 25 million – half the country's population – suffer from acute food insecurity.

Lack of reserves

The organization notes that the cuts have even impacted preparedness efforts. For the first time in nearly a decade, Haiti lacks reserve stocks for the hurricane season, while in Afghanistan, food supplies could not be stocked in warehouses ahead of the onset of winter.

“The devastating impact of food aid cuts not only threatens lives, but also undermines stability, leads to displacement, and could trigger broader social and economic disruption,” McCain warned.

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