UNICEF’s Appeal for Urgent Action in Eastern DRC
A senior official with the UN children’s agency, UNICEF, appealed on Monday for urgent action to support diplomatic and long-term solutions to address the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Situation Overview
Concluding a five-day visit to the region, UNICEF Deputy Director Ted Chaiban noted that fighting has reached new heights and created the worst humanitarian crisis there since 2003. People displaced by conflict are living in a temporary camp near Goma in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Concerns for Children’s Rights
He highlighted growing concerns for safeguarding children’s rights and protection of civilians as the situation worsens. “Children are being killed, maimed, abducted, and recruited by armed groups with verified grave violations the highest-ever; their rights to education and a safe childhood have been shattered,” he said.
Current Challenges
UNICEF warned that the all-time high of 7.2 million internally displaced persons in eastern DRC could further spiral as armed groups take control of ever more territory, and as fighting spreads. These developments are occurring at the same time as the UN peacekeeping mission begins to depart from the country.
Call for Action
“The only way to reduce this suffering is to double down on efforts by regional actors and the international community to negotiate a political solution to the conflict, including the Luanda process, Nairobi dialogue and other diplomatic efforts,” Mr. Chaiban said.
Human Rights Experts Call for Reversal of Death Sentence in Iran
Background
UN-appointed human rights experts on Monday urged Iran to revoke the death sentence against an anti-corruption activist. Mahmoud Mehrabi was convicted on charges of “corruption on earth”, a term they said “refers to a broad range of offences, including blasphemy and ‘crimes’ relating to Islamic morals.”
Current Situation
He was rearrested on 16 March 2023 in connection with his online activism on justice and corruption. He later faced additional charges, including propaganda against the state, incitement of police and military forces to disobedience, incitement to war, crimes against national security, and insulting the founder and Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Appeal for Change
“It is alarming that Iran’s punishments for freedom of expression include the death penalty or long-term prison sentences,” the experts said, noting that local rapper Tomaj Salehi also received the death penalty two weeks ago. They urged Iranian authorities to amend the Constitution and the penal code to prohibit executions and commute all death sentences.
Humanitarian Support Continues in Haiti
Current Situation in Haiti
Aid organizations continue to provide emergency assistance to thousands of people across Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, amid ongoing gang activity, UN humanitarian affairs office, OCHA, reported on Monday. Some residents are extremely vulnerable, with armed groups continuing to perpetrate coordinated attacks.
Recent Developments
On Friday, the commune of Gressier, south of Port-au-Prince, was attacked and several houses set on fire, forcing an unknown number of people to flee. Humanitarian partners are conducting assessments both in Gressier and nearby areas where people fled.
Support Efforts
Humanitarians remain steadfast in their commitment to assist the Haitian people. Since March, the World Food Programme has helped more than 800,000 people nationwide through its school feeding, emergency and resilience programmes. WFP has also distributed more than 825,000 meals to over 95,000 displaced people in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan zone.