People displaced by violence in Haiti queue at a humanitarian aid distribution point. Top news of the day | Friday: Iran/USA, Ukraine, Haiti, Russia UN
The main news of the day in the UN and in the world: the head of the UN welcomed the talks starting this weekend between the US and Iran, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission for Ukraine presented the latest data on civilian casualties, the UN chief human rights activist Volker Türk called on the Russian authorities to reverse the decision on recognition “Memorial” as an “extremist” organization.
US-Iran Talks
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomes US-Iran talks starting this weekend in Islamabad. They will be held through the mediation of Pakistan. Guterres calls on the parties to take advantage of this diplomatic opportunity to reach a comprehensive agreement aimed at de-escalating the conflict and preventing military action. The Secretary-General reiterated that there is no alternative to the peaceful settlement of international disputes.
Ukraine: latest casualty figures
In March, the number of civilian casualties in Ukraine increased by 49 percent compared to the previous month. At least 211 people were killed and 1,206 injured, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in the country (HRMMU) said in its latest monthly report released on Friday. The largest number of civilian deaths, 66, were due to short-range drone attacks.
The situation in Haiti
The humanitarian situation in Haiti is rapidly deteriorating. Eden Wosornu, a representative of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), said this at a briefing in New York on Friday. Some 6.4 million people – more than half the population – need assistance. Most of them lack food. Children have to leave school to help their families. IDPs were temporarily housed in the buildings of many educational institutions. About 12 percent of Haitians have fled their homes. OCHA is requesting $880 million to help the population of the country.
Decision to recognize Memorial as an “extremist organization”
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said he was shocked by the decision of the Russian authorities to recognize a human rights organization “Memorial” “extremist”. He noted that such a step would actually criminalize its activities. Turk also drew attention to the recent search of the Novaya Gazeta editorial office and the detention of journalist Oleg Roldugin, calling these events further evidence of pressure on civil society.