Category: United Nations

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February 9, 2026 International law

UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed grave concern on Monday over reports of the Israeli Security Cabinet's decision to authorize a series of administrative and law enforcement measures in Areas A and B of the occupied West Bank.

According to media reports, these measures will facilitate the transfer of Palestinian land to Jewish settlers, thereby expanding Israel's influence in this territory.

The UN chief warned that trends on the ground – including these measures – are undermining prospects implementation of the two-state solution.

The settlements are illegal

He reiterated that all Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, as well as the regime and infrastructure associated with them, have no legal validity and constitute a violation of international law, including UN resolutions.

“Such actions, including Israel’s continued presence in the occupied Palestinian territory, are not only destabilizing but also – as the International Court of Justice reminds us “They are illegal,” the Secretary-General’s press service said in a statement.

The Secretary-General called on Israel to reverse these measures. He also called on all parties to "preserve the only path to lasting peace—a negotiated two-State solution," in accordance with Security Council resolutions and international law.

Responding to questions during a press briefing in New York, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric stressed that Israeli measures "move us further and further away from a two-state solution and from the ability of the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian people to control their own destiny."

Ongoing humanitarian efforts in Gaza

Meanwhile, humanitarian agencies in the Gaza Strip continue their efforts to distribute food and other aid, despite obstacles and difficult operating conditions.

Residents of Gaza City continue to experience severe shortages of drinking and household water, despite the recent opening of a water pipeline connecting Israel to Gaza. Currently, only 6,000 cubic meters of water reach the city daily, with significant losses in hard-to-reach areas.

To mitigate this shortage, the UN and partners have increased water production and trucked water from underground wells and private desalination plants. Since the end of January, humanitarian agencies have distributed over 100,000 jerrycans of water throughout the Gaza Strip, Dujarric reported. They have also distributed over 700,000 bars of soap and over 25,000 hygiene kits to local residents.

Mine threat

Since Wednesday, humanitarian workers have conducted over 200 explosive hazard assessments as part of rubble clearing efforts. Last week, over 10,000 children and adults received information about the risks of mines and unexploded ordnance.

Since the ceasefire came into effect last October, 33 explosive device incidents have been reported in the enclave, killing nine people and injuring 65.

Restrictions on humanitarian access

The UN notes that humanitarian workers continue to face restrictions, including on the import of so-called "dual-use items" and goods classified as non-humanitarian. These include spare parts and some shelter materials.

In addition, humanitarian operations are undermined by Israel's deregistration of some international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and restrictions on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

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February 9, 2026 Peace and security

South Africa has decided to withdraw its contingent from the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that he has notified UN Secretary-General António Guterres of this decision.

The decision, the South African leader emphasized, stems from the need to "consolidate and redistribute armed forces resources" after 27 years of the country's participation in peacekeeping operations in the DRC. South Africa is one of the ten largest contributors to the mission, with over 700 troops.

The Mission expressed deep gratitude to the Government and people of South Africa for their long-standing support and stressed that it would work towards a “safe, orderly and responsible” withdrawal of peacekeepers. Antonio Guterres, in turn, also thanked the country for its contribution to the mission's activities, said UN chief spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

The mission has been operating in the DRC since 2010. Its mandate includes protecting civilians and contributing to the country's stabilization. As of October 2025, more than 12,400 personnel served in MONUSCO. Since the mission's inception, 304 UN peacekeepers, including South African troops, have been killed.

UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix is currently in the DRC. He is discussing the implementation of the Mission's mandate and supporting a permanent ceasefire. Lacroix will visit North Kivu province and then head to the African Union summit in Addis Ababa.

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February 9, 2026 Refugees and migrants

The new head of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has called on states to move from "endless management" of the consequences of forced displacement to a genuine reduction in long-term dependence on humanitarian aid.

In his first briefing since taking office earlier this year, Barham Saleh outlined an ambitious course of reform and stressed the need for a renewed international consensus on protection, solutions and fair sharing of responsibilities.

"Humanitarian aid saves lives and must continue to be provided wherever there is need," Saleh said. "But when emergency response tools become long-term measures and entire generations become dependent, we don't create sustainability. Success should be measured by whether people are ultimately able to rebuild their lives."

According to the High Commissioner, refugee protection remains one of the fundamental principles of the existing international system. He recalled that 2026 will mark the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention and emphasized that States' obligations to respect it are "more important than ever."

Strategic goals

Today, there are nearly 117 million forcibly displaced people worldwide, including 42.5 million refugees. Most of them have lived in limbo for years or decades, without any real prospects. In some cases, they are safe, yet excluded from national social systems and forced to rely on humanitarian aid. According to Saleh, this state of affairs should not be considered inevitable.

The High Commissioner outlined a strategic goal: to significantly reduce the number of refugees in protracted displacement and dependent on humanitarian assistance over the next decade. To achieve this, he noted, it is necessary to promote voluntary return, local integration, and resettlement; more closely link humanitarian action with development and peacebuilding programs; expand opportunities for self-sufficiency; and strengthen the inclusion of refugees in national systems.

Problems of host countries

Saleh spoke about his first visits to displacement zones. In Kenya, he saw the benefits of policies that allow refugees to work, study, and integrate into society. In Chad, he saw the scale of the needs of people continuing to flee the conflict in Sudan and the limited resources. In Turkey and Jordan, the primary goal is to create conditions for the safe and voluntary return of Syrians to their homeland. These examples, he emphasized, demonstrate UNHCR's dual responsibility: saving lives today and preventing displacement from becoming an "endless dead end" tomorrow.

Independent verification

Saleh also announced an independent management review aimed at improving UNHCR's efficiency, accountability, and financial transparency amid shrinking resources. He promised clearer priorities, results-based indicators, and improved real-time budget monitoring.

"This isn't about lowering our ambitions," he emphasized. "We need to align our ambitions with our resources so that the people we serve don't pay a high price for our ineffectiveness."

In closing, Saleh emphasized his commitment to practical partnership with Member States: “If we stabilize the organization, consolidate protection reforms, and focus international efforts on sustainable solutions, we will be able to work more effectively – for refugees, host communities, and States.”

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February 9, 2026 Human rights

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk stated that the events that unfolded in the Sudanese city of El Fasher last October were a avoidable disaster. Speaking to the Human Rights Council in Geneva, he emphasized the need to hold those responsible accountable and prevent a recurrence of such crimes.

"After 18 months of siege, starvation and bombing, the Rapid Reaction Force unleashed a wave of brutal violence that killed thousands of people in a matter of days and sent tens of thousands fleeing in fear," Türk recalled.

Sexual violence and abductions

According to the High Commissioner, during a recent trip to Sudan He personally met with the victims. His staff interviewed over 140 victims and witnesses of the violence. People spoke of mass killings, extrajudicial executions, sexual violence, torture, abductions, and enforced disappearances. The UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) received evidence of attacks targeting non-Arabs, in particular members of the Zaghawa ethnic group.

Turk said sexual violence was systematically used as a weapon of war.

“During my visit, I met with survivors who gave consistent and heartbreaking accounts of gang rapes and other forms of sexual violence against women and girls,” he stressed.

According to him, militants also kidnapped fleeing people and demanded huge ransoms. Thousands remain missing. Many were likely killed, while others are believed to be held in inhumane conditions.

Probable war crimes

Last month, the International Criminal Court (ICC) informed the UN Security Council that attacks may have been committed in El Fasher. war crimes and crimes against humanityThe OHCHR's findings, as Türk noted, coincide with this assessment.

The High Commissioner recalled that for over a year, the UN Office had been warning of the risk of mass atrocities in besieged El Fasher. He said the threat was clear, but these warnings were ignored.

Türk emphasized that responsibility for the crimes committed "lies entirely with the Rapid Reaction Force and its allies and sponsors." At the same time, the OHCHR chief added, the international community must also act more decisively.

The High Commissioner expressed deep concern about the situation in Kordofan, where drone strikes continue and civilians are being killed. In just two weeks, according to the UN Office, approximately 90 civilians have been killed and more than 140 injured. Strikes have targeted a World Food Programme convoy, as well as markets, medical facilities, and residential areas in Southern and Northern Kordofan. According to Türk, civilians are at risk of extrajudicial executions, sexual violence, arbitrary detention, and loss of loved ones.

Call to action

Hate speech is becoming a catalyst for ethnic violence, the UN's top human rights defender warned. Local leaders are using dehumanizing rhetoric against entire communities to justify atrocities, mobilize fighters, and deepen divisions.

Türk called on states to exert pressure on parties to the conflict to comply with international law, cease attacks on civilians and infrastructure, and ensure the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid. He also reiterated his call for the expansion of the arms embargo to all of Sudan.

The High Commissioner stressed that despite the scale of the tragedy, hope remains.

"One thing became crystal clear to me during my visit to Sudan: the spirit of the struggle for peace, justice, and freedom is still alive," he said. "The Sudanese people hold the key to sustainable peace in their country, and they will prevail."

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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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