MIL Translation Engine 1

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: United Nations – United Nations –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

March 24, 2026 Healthcare

In the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region, one in five tuberculosis cases remains undetected, and the rate of drug-resistant forms of the disease remains among the highest in the world. This was stated in a joint report published Tuesday by the WHO and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

According to 2024 data, 161,569 new and relapsed cases of tuberculosis were registered in 51 countries in the region—only 79 percent of the estimated number of cases. The WHO estimates that approximately 204,000 people have been infected in the region. Underdiagnosis remains a key problem: people who are not diagnosed promptly continue to transmit the infection and face more severe forms of the disease.

The situation in the European Union and the European Economic Area (EU/EEA) is also alarming experts. In 2024, 38,249 cases of tuberculosis were registered there, but one in five patients who started treatment fails to receive follow-up testing within a year. This gap persists even among children under 15.

Despite overall declines in TB incidence and mortality—by 39 percent and 49 percent, respectively, since 2015—the region remains significantly behind the End TB Strategy targets. Progress in the EU/EEA has been even slower: TB incidence has declined by 33 percent, while mortality has declined by only 17 percent.

Drug resistance

The European Region bears a disproportionately high share of the global burden of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. In 2024, 26,845 cases of the disease resistant to rifampicin or multiple other drugs were confirmed here.

European rates significantly exceed global ones: 23 percent of new cases in the region are multidrug-resistant (compared to only 3.2 percent globally), and among previously treated patients, resistance is detected in 51 percent of cases (compared to 16 percent globally). This makes the region one of the most problematic globally.

"A Missed Opportunity"

"One in five people with tuberculosis in the European Region remains undetected, and this isn't just a failure to diagnose—it's a missed opportunity to prevent suffering and further transmission," said Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe. He emphasized that accelerating diagnosis, switching to shorter, oral regimens, and strengthening monitoring can put countries back on track to achieve their goals.

Additional challenges: HIV, prisons and childhood illnesses

The report records 23,000 cases of TB and HIV co-occurrence, 80 percent of which occur in Russia and Ukraine. Despite high testing rates, antiretroviral therapy coverage remains below target.

The situation in prisons is particularly alarming: the incidence rate there reaches 121.6 cases per 100,000 people – 13 times higher than the regional average.

In several European countries, the incidence rate of tuberculosis among children under four years of age exceeds 10 cases per 100,000 people, indicating persistent disparities within the region.

Commenting on the findings of the report's authors, ECDC Director Pamela Rendi-Wagner noted that progress in recent years in Europe has been insufficient: "To achieve the 2030 targets, sustained efforts in early detection and support of patients throughout their treatment are needed."

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.

March 24, 2026 Refugees and migrants

Since early March, amid the war in the Middle East, more than 130,000 people have arrived in the Syrian Arab Republic from Lebanon, while over 1 million have fled their homes and remain in Lebanese territory. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported this today, citing new data from its population displacement monitoring system.

“The current situation is a stark reminder of how quickly instability can change population movement patterns across entire regions,” said IOM Director General Amy Pope. “Many of those on the move are already living in precarious conditions, and as pressure mounts, humanitarian needs will increase. Providing protection and assistance to people wherever they are requires sustainable international support".

Increase in the number of people arriving in Syria

Displacement related to the crisis in Lebanon continues: according to the IOM, more than 130,000 people crossed the border between March 2 and 18. Syrians account for 95 percent of them, while 5 percent are Lebanese citizens. The basic needs of those arriving include financial assistance, food, and shelter. Many are temporarily staying with relatives or friends.

The border crossings are primarily made up of families and young men who previously worked in Lebanon and are expected to return when the situation stabilizes. Rapid monitoring has documented the arrival of over 82,000 people in hundreds of locations across Syria. This underscores the broad geographic reach of the humanitarian assistance needed.

Large-scale displacement within Lebanon

In Lebanon itself, the number of internally displaced persons is growing rapidly. According to the country's authorities, as of March 22, more than 1 million people were registered as internally displaced, including more than 134,000 people housed in 644 collective centers.

Most people are staying with relatives, in host communities, or in rented accommodation. Some are forced to sleep in cars or outdoors.

The situation in the region

In other countries in the region, people are leaving their homes as a precaution, seeking safe areas while monitoring the situation, including in Iran.

No large-scale population movements have been recorded in Iraq, but small groups of arrivals have been registered at border crossings.

Meanwhile, movements from Iran to Pakistan continue: from March 1 to 16, more than 6,700 arrivals were recorded, the majority through the Taftan-Mirjaveh crossing. These were primarily returning Pakistanis, as well as Iranian citizens with valid visas or entry permits.

Risks in Afghanistan

While returns from Iran to Afghanistan remain restricted due to unstable situation in both countries, transport restrictions within Iran, and expectations of a quick resolution to the conflict. However, the situation could change quickly.

After the holiday period, a sharp increase in returns is expected due to security risks, economic pressure, unemployment, and deteriorating living conditions for undocumented Afghans in Iran. This could lead to both forced and spontaneous returns.

The crisis has also triggered the movement of third-country nationals. People from various countries are crossing borders with Pakistan, Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan, often with the assistance of their governments.

Humanitarian support

IOM continues to closely monitor the situation, working with national authorities and partners to inform humanitarian priorities.

The Agency also supports the UN Secretary-General's call for restraint and urgent de-escalation. It emphasizes that civilians, including migrants and displaced persons, must be protected at all times, and international humanitarian law must be strictly observed.

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.

March 24, 2026 Human rights

The rape and murder of a 17-year-old schoolgirl in Kyrgyzstan in September 2025 sparked a wave of public outrage. There were calls in the country to reinstate the death penalty. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk called for a victim-centered approach to combating violence. He noted that justice must be based on prevention, compassion, and the rule of law, not retribution.

By early December, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov officially submitted the amendment reinstating the death penalty to the Constitutional Court for a constitutional review. On December 10, 2025, the court ruled that the proposal violated international treaty obligations enshrined in Kyrgyzstan's constitution and declared the amendment unconstitutional.

Compliance with human rights obligations

The UN Human Rights Office's Regional Office for Central Asia actively participated in the discussion. Its head, Matilda Bogner, noted that the Office's experts reminded both the executive and judicial authorities of international standards and Kyrgyzstan's corresponding obligations.

Kyrgyzstan has abolished the death penalty since 1998. Ratification of the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in 2010 definitively enshrined its abolition in law. The Covenant and the Protocol legally obligate states to take all necessary measures to prevent the reinstatement of capital punishment.

“It is positive that, despite an initiative that seemed to enjoy broad public support but fell short of international obligations, a rule-of-law approach ultimately prevailed in Kyrgyzstan,” Bogner said.

Justice, not retribution

The tragedy, which occurred in 2025, sparked a national debate about what constitutes justice for the victims. Bogner acknowledged that emotions inevitably run high in such cases.

"This is an extremely sensitive issue, especially when it comes to such horrific crimes," she said.

"A predictable legal process is a more effective deterrent to serious crime than introducing the death penalty into a system that lacks predictability," Bogner added.

Volker Türk also stressed that the focus should be on prevention.

"The crimes cited by the authorities as grounds for reinstating the death penalty are undoubtedly heinous, and due process must be ensured for them. However, there is no evidence that the death penalty plays a significant role in preventing serious crimes," he noted.

Prevention of violence

An effective legal system not only responds to violence but also helps prevent it. Bogner emphasized that protecting women from gender-based violence requires prompt and appropriate action by both the police and the courts, including the early identification of warning signs.

Following the Constitutional Court's decision, the Kyrgyz authorities, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reaffirmed their commitment to the rule of law. As part of ongoing efforts to prevent violence, the UN Human Rights Office regional office is supporting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in developing a new risk assessment system aimed at strengthening timely responses to cases of gender-based violence. According to Bogner, this system will allow authorities to monitor the situation and intervene before violence occurs.

As Türk emphasized, the Office continues to cooperate with Kyrgyzstan in creating a victim-centered justice system that ensures accountability and, above all, prevents violence against women and girls.

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.