UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addressed the General Assembly on the occasion of the International Day against Islamophobia. Top news of the day | Friday: Ukraine, Gaza, Russian Federation, Islamophobia, Baku Forum UN
The main news of the day in the UN and in the world: human rights violations during the war in Ukraine, 23 million tons of rubble in Gaza, Russian presidential elections in the occupied territories, a resolution to combat Islamophobia, the Chairman of the General Assembly at the Global Baku Forum.
Investigation of events in Ukraine
An independent international commission of inquiry into Ukraine has found new evidence that the Russian military violated human rights and international humanitarian law, and committed war crimes. In particular, data obtained by the Commission indicates that at least 58 medical infrastructure buildings and 11 power plants were damaged or destroyed in Mariupol. The new evidence confirms the Commission’s previous findings that torture of civilians by Russian security forces is “widespread and systematic.” The report also documented cases of sexual violence.
The situation in Gaza
The war in Gaza has already left behind nearly 23 million tons of building debris and unexploded ordnance across the enclave. The UN Relief Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) said it would be years before the sector was safe again. Amid intense fighting, the agency continues to provide assistance to an estimated 1.5 million displaced people in the south of the enclave. Efforts to create a new sea route for aid delivery from Cyprus to Gaza continued Friday as the NGO-owned Open Arms vessel moored off the coast in the north of the strip.
Secretary General on elections in the Russian Federation
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the efforts of the Russian Federation to hold presidential elections in the occupied regions of Ukraine. He recalled that the attempt to illegally annex Ukrainian regions has no legal force from the point of view of international law. According to him, the United Nations remains committed to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its recognized borders in accordance with the resolutions of the General Assembly.
Combating Islamophobia
Amid the rising tide of hatred against Muslims, the General Assembly adopted a resolution to combat this phenomenon during a meeting dedicated to the International Day of combating Islamophobia. It is celebrated on March 15th. The new resolution proposed by Pakistan calls, among other things, for concerted action to combat ongoing violence against Muslims and for the Secretary-General to appoint a Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia. The UN chief, in turn, said on Friday that the whole world must unite to fight intolerance, stereotypes and bias.
Baku Forum
In his speech at the XI Global Baku Forum in Azerbaijan on Friday, UN General Assembly President Dennis Francis said that as conflicts expand and tensions around the world, the multilateral cooperation system is under unprecedented pressure. He drew attention to the fact that the General Assembly becomes an important mechanism for the world community in cases where the Security Council is inactive. Francis thanked Azerbaijan for its continued commitment to promoting dialogue, tolerance and multiculturalism, which are at the core of the Global Baku Forum.