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December 16, 2025 Human rights

Arbitrary detentions and enforced disappearances, restrictions on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, and generally high tensions persist in Venezuela, stated UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk.

Speaking at a meeting of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Türk emphasized that the situation in Venezuela has not improved since June, when he last presented his report.

Pressure on civil society

The High Commissioner reported that in September and November, the Venezuelan government passed laws expanding emergency powers under the pretext of external threats. However, the content of the new legislation was not published, making it impossible to assess its compliance with international law.

According to Volker Türk, pressure on civic space has noticeably increased. He also noted the increasing militarization of public life, which "increases the risk of violence in a society already facing high crime rates." The UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) has received reports of forced recruitment into the Bolivarian National Militia, including of adolescents and older people.

"The authorities encourage denunciations of relatives, neighbors, and colleagues through a state-sponsored mobile app," Türk added, emphasizing that "such a policy breeds fear, mistrust, and self-censorship."

Persecution of journalists and human rights activists

The High Commissioner recalled that the NGO oversight law adopted last year continues to severely restrict the activities of civil society organizations. Journalists, human rights defenders, opposition representatives, and humanitarian workers, he said, "continue to face threats, harassment, and the risk of arbitrary detention simply for doing their jobs."

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The UN's top human rights official reported that several journalists were arbitrarily detained and remain in custody, while "hundreds of people are imprisoned for political reasons." The recent detention of the general secretary of the largest trade union, he said, "sent a chilling message to workers across the country."

Deaths in custody and enforced disappearances

Moreover, detention conditions "undermine the physical and mental health of detainees and, in some cases, cost them their lives." According to the OHCHR, at least five people detained in connection with the 2024 presidential elections have died in custody.

"All these cases must be immediately and independently investigated," Turk said.

He also noted the increasing number of transfers of detainees to unknown locations, "some of which amount to enforced disappearances." In a number of centers, people continue to be held incommunicado, "which is a flagrant violation of their fundamental rights."

Turk noted the release of at least 51 people since the last report, including members of the political opposition, foreign citizens and people in poor health.

At the same time, according to the High Commissioner, since July, the detention of "at least 17 people – mostly women, children, and the elderly – in connection with the activities of their relatives has been documented." The fate and whereabouts of another 12 people remain unknown.

The UN's top human rights defender has called for the unconditional release of all those arbitrarily detained for their civic activism.

Economic crisis and regional tensions

Speaking about the socio-economic situation, Türk noted that Venezuelans face “poverty and hunger” on a daily basis.

"Inequality and prices are skyrocketing," he said, noting that inflation is projected to reach 270 percent in 2025.

“The minimum monthly wage is more than 1,000 times less than the cost of a basic food basket,” the UN representative emphasized.

The High Commissioner also expressed concern about the possible impact of the growing US military pressure on the human rights situation.

"History has shown time and again that when confrontations escalate, it is ordinary people who find themselves caught in the crossfire," he said, calling on the United States to use established methods to combat the drug trafficking problem.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: United Nations – United Nations –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

December 16, 2025 Human rights

The situation for civilians in Ukraine is becoming increasingly "unbearable," warned UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk, speaking at an intersessional meeting of the Human Rights Council. He presented data recent report United Nations Human Rights Office (OHCHR) for the period from 1 June to 30 November 2025.

"Almost four years after the Russian Federation launched its full-scale invasion, the situation for the civilian population of Ukraine has become even more unbearable," Türk said.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights noted the scale of the work accomplished: over four years, OHCHR staff carried out more than 1,150 missions to affected areas of Ukraine and conducted more than 11,100 interviews on alleged violations of international law.

Rising death toll

According to the UN, the number of civilian casualties since the beginning of this year 24 percent higher, compared to the same period last year. "This is largely due to the fact that the Russian Armed Forces have intensified the use of long-range missiles and drones in frontline and urban areas," Türk noted. "This escalation is an endless nightmare for the people of Ukraine."

The High Commissioner added that strikes are being carried out throughout the country, including in the western regions. He cited as an example attack on November 19, 2025, when approximately 500 drones and missiles were launched at Ukraine. "A cruise missile hit a residential building in Ternopil, and a drone caused a fire in another building, killing at least 38 civilians and injuring 99, with some still missing," he said, calling the strike the deadliest in western Ukraine since the war began.

"The Russian Federation reports that 146 civilians were killed and more than 1,150 were injured in the country during the reporting period, but we have not been able to confirm these figures," the UN representative added.

Strikes in frontline areas

Türk also drew attention to the situation in Ukraine's frontline regions, where more than 60 percent of casualties have been recorded this year. Nearly half of the dead were elderly.

"The use of short-range drones with first-person cameras by Russian forces causes significant harm to civilians," he stated. Approximately 300 civilians were killed in such attacks during the reporting period, including people riding bicycles, in cars, and on public transportation.

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In addition, according to OHCHR, in October and November, the Russian Federation carried out eight large-scale coordinated attacks that caused prolonged emergency situations. power outagesin a number of areas and planned power outages in most regions for up to 18 hours a day.

The situation of prisoners of war

The High Commissioner also emphasized the plight of prisoners of war and detained civilians. "Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the Office has documented the extrajudicial executions of 96 Ukrainian prisoners of war and persons hors de combat," he reported. He added that since mid-November, there has been an increase in reports of executions of Ukrainian servicemen after capture. "We have confirmed as credible the reports of the killing of 14 Ukrainian prisoners of war after their capture by Russian forces and are investigating 10 additional cases," Türk said.

He added that the Office had also recorded "four executions of Russian prisoners of war by Ukrainian armed forces" and was investigating "credible reports of three additional incidents." The High Commissioner also emphasized that the UN continues to document "systematic and widespread torture and ill-treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war."

"The people of Ukraine need peace"

Concluding his speech, Volker Türk again called for an end to the war. He stated that "those responsible for all violations of human rights and international humanitarian law must be held accountable."

"I can't even begin to imagine how exhausted the people of Ukraine are," the High Commissioner said. "They need the guns to fall silent. They need a peace based on human rights—in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, international law, and General Assembly resolutions."

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: United Nations – United Nations –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

December 16, 2025 Healthcare

Amid the early start of the flu season in the Northern Hemisphere, a new variant of the virus is spreading rapidly, with vaccination remaining the "most effective means of protection," the World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Tuesday.

Influenza and other respiratory viruses are currently spreading rapidly, Wenqing Zhang, head of the Global Respiratory Threats Unit at the WHO's Department of Epidemic and Pandemic Threat Management, told reporters in Geneva. According to her, the current season is characterized by the emergence and rapid spread of a new AH3N2 variant. It was first detected in August in Australia and New Zealand and has since been identified in more than 30 countries, she noted.

Genetic transformation

"Available epidemiological data do not indicate an increase in disease severity, although this genetic shift represents a significant stage in the virus's evolution," Zhang said. Influenza viruses are constantly changing, she explained, which is why flu vaccines are regularly updated.

“WHO monitors these changes, assesses the associated public health risks, and develops vaccine composition recommendations twice a year through the long-standing Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) – in collaboration with other global experts,” Zhang emphasized.

The new variant was not included in vaccines produced for the current flu season in the Northern Hemisphere, the WHO expert clarified. However, "early data suggest that current seasonal vaccines continue to provide protection against severe illness and reduce the risk of hospitalization," she added.

According to WHO estimates, approximately one billion cases of seasonal influenza are registered worldwide each year, including up to five million cases of severe respiratory illness. Up to 650,000 deaths per year are associated with respiratory complications caused by seasonal influenza.

Recommendations for risk reduction

“Vaccination remains our most effective means of protection, including against ‘drifting’ strains, especially for high-risk groups and those caring for them,” Zhang emphasized.

She also shared the results of a preliminary evaluation of the vaccine's effectiveness against the new variant, published several weeks ago in the UK. "These data look very encouraging," the expert said, noting that the vaccine is approximately 75 percent effective in preventing severe illness and hospitalization in children and approximately 35 percent effective in adults.

Zhang warned that the upcoming holiday season could lead to a new surge in respiratory illnesses. "Advance planning and increased preparedness, including encouraging vaccination and strengthening healthcare system readiness, are strongly recommended," she said.

The WHO expert also recommended that countries strengthen laboratory diagnostics and year-round disease surveillance and participate in the GISRS network.

Global monitoring is necessary

The network includes influenza centers in 130 countries, as well as more than ten reference laboratories.

Asked whether the United States would remain a member of the network next year despite the country's decision to withdraw from the WHO effective January 22, 2026, Zhang said, "From an influenza, respiratory surveillance and preparedness perspective, it is absolutely essential that all countries around the world participate in surveillance, preparedness, and response to influenza and other respiratory viruses because we don't know when and where the next pandemic strain will emerge."

"And the time between its emergence, detection, characterization, and inclusion in vaccines could be critical to the number of lives saved," she concluded.

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