UN chief with Timor-Leste president. Top stories of the day | Wednesday: Palestine, Paralympics, Syria, Timor-Leste UN
Top stories of the day in the UN and around the world: escalation in the West Bank, opening of the Paralympics, Security Council meeting on the situation in Syria, UN chief in Timor-Leste.
West Bank
Tensions are rising in the occupied West Bank amid Israeli military raids, airstrikes and settler attacks on Palestinians. The UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) has warned that the actions by Israeli forces risk further escalating “an already volatile situation.” The OHCHR also said that in East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities continue to apply discriminatory laws and demolish Palestinian homes in violation of international law. In the Silwan area, thousands of Palestinians are at risk of forced eviction, the office added.
Paralympic Games
UN Secretary-General António Guterres delivered a message to participants of the International Conference on Disability Inclusion, which is taking place at UNESCO in Paris ahead of the opening of the Paralympic Games. The UN chief said that the Paralympic Games bring together people of different cultures and showcase the potential of men, women and children with disabilities, of whom there are more than one billion worldwide, in sport and in all aspects of life.
The situation in Syria
Numerous clashes in north-east and north-west Syria, airstrikes and drone strikes, artillery and rocket attacks – August was marked for the residents of Syria by another outbreak of violence, and ISIS militants have also stepped up their operations. This was stated by the Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen to the members of the UN Security Council. He called the humanitarian situation in Syria “dire”, noting the lack of funding, “economic catastrophe” and the negative consequences of sanctions. Pedersen called for the intensification of the political process, based on the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
UN Chief in Timor-Leste
The UN chief arrived in Timor-Leste on a solidarity visit. This year marks 25 years since the United Nations conducted a popular consultation in 1999, as a result of which the country gained independence. Timor-Leste was subsequently administered by the UN for three years, and in 2022, the Organization handed over powers to a democratically elected government. Speaking to reporters, the Secretary-General said Timor-Leste was a model country in terms of human rights, but it also had to win the battle for development.