UN Mission in Kosovo Chief Caroline Ziade briefed the Security Council. Top News of the Day | Wednesday: Ukraine, Belarus, Gaza and Israel, Kosovo, Cuba UN
Top News of the Day in the UN and the World: Russian authorities use torture against Ukrainians, which qualifies as crimes against humanity, Belarus does not implement recommendations of UN human rights bodies, the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel presented its report to the General Assembly, Belgrade and Pristina seek dialogue.
Ukraine
Russian authorities use torture that qualifies as crimes against humanity, members of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine said in their latest report. According to the report, torture of Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war is used in all Russian-controlled regions of Ukraine, as well as in pre-trial detention facilities in Russia itself. Previous reports of the Commission stated that the practice of torture by Russian authorities is systematic.
Belarus
Belarus’s interaction with UN human rights bodies is at its lowest level in history, said Anais Marin, the Special Rapporteur on human rights in this country. According to her, Belarus has failed to implement recommendations from UN human rights bodies, including abolishing the death penalty, ending arbitrary arrests and torture, and ensuring the right to freedom of speech. Marin’s report also shows how, over the past four years, Belarus has taken an openly dismissive stance towards international institutions that have pointed to the unprecedented crackdown that began in the country during the last presidential elections in 2020.
Gaza and Israel
The chairperson of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel, Navi Pillay, presented her report to the General Assembly Humanitarian Affairs Committee on Wednesday. The commission found that Israel has been pursuing a policy of destroying Gaza’s health system as part of its offensive and has committed war crimes by deliberately targeting medical personnel and facilities. The report said Israel and Palestinian armed groups were responsible for torture and sexual and gender-based violence. According to Pillay, hostage-taking in Israel also amounts to a war crime.
Kosovo
Following meetings with officials in Belgrade and Pristina, as well as with local political and civil society figures and international partners, UN Mission in Kosovo Head Caroline Ziade noted the parties’ desire for constructive dialogue and peaceful relations, although the situation on the ground remains unstable. She said this at a Security Council meeting on Wednesday. She also noted the need to build trust at all levels. In a recent survey, the majority of Kosovo Albanian and Kosovo Serb respondents said they believed reconciliation was necessary for a better future, Ziade emphasized.
Cuba
Today, the UN General Assembly adopted for the 32nd time a resolution calling on the United States to lift economic, commercial and financial sanctions against Cuba. The document was supported by 187 states. Two countries – the United States and Israel – voted against, one – Moldova – abstained. The General Assembly has been adopting resolutions calling for the lifting of the embargo for 32 years in a row. In 1992, it was supported by 59 states, in 2017 – already 191, last year – 187. In 2016, the United States did not vote “against” for the only time, but abstained. However, in subsequent years, Washington returned to its previous position.