Gaza remains one of the most dangerous places for civilians and humanitarian workers. Top news of the day | Monday: Gaza, Syria, Russia, bird flu UN
Top news of the day in the UN and in the world: humanitarian situation in Gaza, head of the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism was able to visit Syria for the first time, UN human rights expert in Russia calls for acquittal of Yevgeniya Berkovich and Svetlana Petriychuk, bird flu in cattle.
The situation in Gaza
The situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher said as he wrapped up his first trip to the Middle East as head of UN humanitarian operations. During the week-long visit, he visited Syria, Lebanon and Jordan, and met with humanitarian teams working in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Gaza remains one of the most dangerous places for civilians and humanitarian workers, he said.
UN Mechanism for Syria
Achieving justice in Syria requires preserving evidence of crimes, avoiding duplication of efforts, and ensuring that all victims are equally represented in the process, said Robert Petit, head of the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism for Syria. He completed the first visit to Syria in the history of the Mechanism, which was established in 2016. Representatives of this UN body were able to formally engage in dialogue with Syrian officials for the first time. The head of the Mechanism stressed the importance of preserving evidence of crimes committed over the past 14 years and ensuring justice for victims.
Human Rights in Russia
The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation, Mariana Katsarova, has called on the court to acquit theatre director Yevgeniya Berkovich and playwright Svetlana Petriychuk, who are currently serving six years in prison on charges of “justifying terrorism.” The appeal was sent ahead of their trial scheduled for December 25 at the Military Court of Appeal. The persecution is part of a “disturbing pattern of persecution of anyone who condemns the war against Ukraine or expresses an opinion different from the official one,” Katsarova said.
Monitoring Bird Flu
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has published new recommendations for monitoring avian influenza (H5N1) in cattle against the backdrop of the spread of the infection among animals, including mammals. In its recommendations, FAO emphasizes the importance of passive surveillance systems and obtaining information from farmers and veterinarians, especially in areas with large numbers of livestock and migratory birds. The role of informal sources of information, including social media, is also emphasized. Basic but effective surveillance systems begin with encouraging farmers to self-report suspected diseases and to make use of regular on-farm veterinary visits.