Children arriving at a reception center in Raqqa, Syria. Top stories of the day | Thursday: Syria, Ukraine, Myanmar, Lesotho UN
Top stories of the day in the UN and around the world: latest figures on civilian casualties in Ukraine, UN Special Envoy calls for support for released Syrians, escalating violence in Myanmar, Secretary-General visits Lesotho.
Ukraine
At least 165 civilians in Ukraine were killed and 887 were injured in November. Eight of those killed were children, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights published on Thursday. The death toll in November was lower than in October, but significantly higher than a year ago, in November 2023. The vast majority of civilian casualties (93 percent) were recorded in territories controlled by Ukraine.
Syria
The UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, called for support for Syrians released from prison and the release of those still in custody. Available documents and testimonies only scratch the surface of the horrors of the prison system and the barbarity that Syrians have endured for years, Pedersen said. The special envoy also called for a priority to be given to accounting for missing persons, ensuring that their families receive the information they need.
Myanmar
The UN Secretary-General is concerned about reports of escalating violence in Myanmar, including in Rakhine State, UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric said at a briefing in New York. Many parts of the country are being subjected to indiscriminate air strikes, killing and injuring civilians. António Guterres called on all parties to the conflict in Myanmar to stop the violence, protect civilians and prevent further intercommunal tensions.
Secretary-General in Lesotho
The Secretary-General arrived in Lesotho today, where he met with the country’s King, Prime Minister and members of his Cabinet. António Guterres noted that Lesotho is a shining example of the injustices of the global financial and climate systems. The country has low greenhouse gas emissions, but suffers greatly from the effects of global warming, including frequent droughts.