Refugees at a UN transit center in South Sudan. Top news of the day | Thursday: Security Council, International Court of Justice, Haiti, South Sudan, Belarus UN
Briefly about the main events of the day in the UN and the world: Russia’s veto in the Security Council on the vote on the DPRK; ruling of the International Court of Justice regarding Israel; “catastrophic” situation in Haiti; UNHCR’s call for $1.4 billion to support South Sudanese refugees; new UN Resident Coordinator in Belarus.
Russia’s veto in the UN Security Council
On Thursday, Russia vetoed at the UN Security Council an extension of the mandate of experts assisting the North Korea Sanctions Committee. China abstained. Speaking before the vote, Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzya accused the coalition of Western countries led by the United States of “an unprecedented policy to strangle Pyongyang.” According to him, it includes strict unilateral restrictions, aggressive propaganda and direct personal threats against the DPRK authorities. After the vote, US Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Robert Wood stressed that today’s vote will allow North Korea to act in conditions of even greater impunity.
New temporary measures regarding Israel
The International Court of Justice has adopted new provisional measures against Israel amid the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza. The court issued the new ruling in response to a recent request from South Africa, which filed a lawsuit in December accusing Israel of genocide. The ICJ ruling states that Israel must take all necessary measures to ensure the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. Aid should include food, water, electricity, fuel, clothing, hygiene items and medicine. The new ICJ ruling also orders Israel to increase the capacity and number of ground checkpoints.
“Catastrophic” situation in Haiti
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has called for immediate and decisive action to address the “catastrophic” situation in Haiti. “Corruption, impunity and poor governance, exacerbated by rising levels of banditry, have undermined the rule of law and brought state institutions closer to collapse,” the report said Thursday. Under these conditions, the Haitian population is largely deprived of the opportunity to enjoy human rights, the authors of the document conclude.
UNHCR Appeal for South Sudan
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and its partners issued a calling for $1.4 billion this year to support more than two million South Sudanese refugees in five African countries and their host communities. Since the outbreak of conflict in South Sudan more than 10 years ago, growing humanitarian needs, exacerbated by severe food shortages, insecurity and the effects of climate change, have kept refugees in exile and caused new displacement.
New UN Resident Coordinator in Belarus
The UN Secretary-General appointed Rasul Bagirov from Azerbaijan as UN Resident Coordinator in Belarus. Bagirov will begin work in his new position on Saturday, March 30. Previously, he worked in the Office of the Director General of the World Health Organization in Geneva. Rasul Bagirov has 25 years of experience in the field of development, healthcare, education and social protection.