Europe

The Security Council said in a statement released on Friday that settling any part of the abandoned Cypriot suburb of Varosha, “by people other than its inhabitants, is “inadmissible”. The presidential statement approved by all 15 Security Council members, upheld that “no actions should be carried out in relation to Varosha, that are not in accordance with its resolutions”. “The Security Council condemns the announcement in Cyprus by Turkish and Turkish Cypriot leaders on 20 July 2021 on the further reopening of part of the fenced-off area of Varosha”, the statement continued. ‘Deep regret’ “The Security Council expresses its deep regret regarding these unilateral actions that run contrary to its previous resolutions and statements.” The statement calls for “the immediate reversal of this course of action and the reversal of all steps taken on Varosha since October 2020.” The statement followed a closed-door briefing earlier in the day by the outgoing UN Special Representative, Elizabeth Spehar. The Mediterranean island has been divided between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities for 47 years, and a Security Council resolution of 1964 recommended the establishment of a peacekeeping force to maintain law and order and help end inter-communal strife. According to news reports, on Wednesday, Greek Cypriot leaders appealed to the Council over plans by Turkish Cypriot authorities to revert a 1.35 square-mile section of Varosha, from military to civilian control, and open it for potential resettlement. The self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), which is backed by Turkey, made the initial announcement a day earlier, that part of the suburb would come under civilian control. Guterres statement On Wednesday, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed his deep concern over Wednesday’s announcements by Turkey and Turkish-Cypriot leaders, on re-opening Varosha, and said that the UN’s position “remains unchanged and is guided by the relevant Security Council resolutions”.  In a statement issued by his Deputy Spokesperson, Farhan Haq, Mr. Guterres called on all sides “to refrain from any unhelpful actions and to engage in dialogue to bring peace and prosperity to the island through a comprehensive settlement”. “The Secretary-General has repeatedly called on all parties to refrain from unilateral actions that provoke tensions and may compromise the ongoing efforts to seek common ground between the parties towards a lasting settlement of the Cyprus issue”. ‘Just settlement’ The Security Council statement concluded with a reaffirmation of its commitment “to an enduring, comprehensive and just settlement, in accordance with the wishes of the Cypriot people, and based on a bicommunal, bizonal federation, with political equality”.

Survivors of a massacre of mainly Muslims in the former Yugoslavia, and people associated with the perpetrators of what has become known as the Srebrenica genocide, have been telling their stories in a new exhibition by the United Nations, released 26 years after the events took place. Some 8,000 boys and men were killed by Bosnian Serb forces when they overran the town of Srebrenica during a regional war in the Balkans in July 1995, the largest atrocity on European soil since the Second World War. The exhibition in the form of a timeline, explains how the genocide was planned and carried out. It’s been staged by the UN’s International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT) based in The Hague. The IRMCT replaced the International Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), a court also established by the UN to prosecute those persons responsible for serious violations of international humanitarian law committed in the territory of the former Yugoslavia.

Although a new European Union (EU) climate initiative unveiled on Wednesday could change global trade patterns to favour countries where production is relatively carbon efficient, its value in mitigating climate change will likely be limited, the UN trade and development agency, UNCTAD, has warned. The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) comes into force in 2023 as part of new measures to cut carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, including taxes on imports such as oil, coal and gas. In tandem with the EU announcement, UNCTAD has published a report examining the potential implications for countries both within and outside the regional bloc. “Climate and environmental considerations are at the forefront of policy concerns, and trade cannot be the exception. CBAM is one of these options, but its impact on developing countries also needs to be considered,” said Isabelle Durant, the UNCTAD Acting Secretary-General. Cutting ‘carbon leakage’ The CBAM will help reduce “carbon leakage”, a term that refers to transferring production to jurisdictions with looser constraints on emissions, the report confirmed. However, its value in mitigating climate change is limited, as the mechanism would cut only 0.1% of global CO2 emissions. “While the mechanism seeks to avoid the leakage of production and CO2 emissions to the EU’s trading partners with less stringent emissions targets, it’s so far unclear how it can support decarbonization in developing countries,” UNCTAD said. “Reducing these emissions effectively will require more efficient production and transport processes.” Support green production UNCTAD also addressed concerns expressed by EU trade partners who believe the CBAM would substantially curtail exports in carbon-intensive sectors such as cement, steel and aluminium. Changes may not be as drastic as some fear, the agency said. Exports by developing countries would be reduced by 1.4 per cent if the plan is implemented with a tax of $44 per tonne of CO2 emissions, and by 2.4 per cent at $88 per tonne. Effects would vary significantly by country, depending on their export structure and carbon production intensity. At the $44 per tonne price, developed countries would see their incomes rise by $1.5 billion, while income in developing countries would fall by $5.9 billion, according to the report. UNCTAD encouraged the EU to consider using some of the revenue generated by the CBAM to accelerate cleaner production technologies in developing countries. “This will be beneficial in terms of greening the economy and fostering a more inclusive trading system,” said Ms. Durant, the agency’s interim chief.

Belarus has witnessed an unprecedented human rights crisis over the past year, the independent expert appointed to monitor the country said on Monday, calling on authorities to immediately end their policy of repression and fully respect the legitimate aspirations of their people. Belarus has witnessed an unprecedented human rights crisis over the past year, the independent expert appointed to monitor the country said on Monday, calling on authorities to immediately end their policy of repression and fully respect the legitimate aspirations of their people. In her annual report to the Human Rights Council, Anaïs Marin said she had received reports of massive police violence used against protesters – since last August’s disputed presidential election brought millions onto the streets to contest the result – cases of enforced disappearance, allegations of torture and ill-treatment and the continuous intimidation and harassment of civil society actors. Broad spectrum of abuses “The Belarusian authorities have launched a full-scale assault against civil society, curtailing a broad spectrum of rights and freedoms, targeting people from all walks of life, while systematically persecuting human rights defenders, journalists, media workers and lawyers in particular,” Ms. Marin told the Council. “The crackdown is such that thousands of Belarusians have been forced or otherwise compelled to leave their homeland and seek safety abroad; yet the downing of a civilian plane in Minsk on 23 May, for the apparent sole purpose of arresting a dissident who was on board, signaled that no opponent to the current Government is safe anywhere”, the expert added. She noted that the significant deterioration of the human rights situation in Belarus started in late spring 2020 and climaxed in the aftermath of the presidential election of 9 August, the results of which were widely contested. Malpractices were reported during the election campaign, as most opposition candidates were forced out of the race, while the vote count was marred by allegations of fraud. Unjustified and disproportionate “Distrust in the legitimacy of the electoral outcome triggered spontaneous and largely peaceful popular protests to which the authorities responded with unjustified, disproportionate and often arbitrary force”, said the Special Rapporteur, who reminded that over 35,000 people have been detained since then for trying to exert their right to freedom of peaceful assembly, including women and children arrested for peacefully demonstrating solidarity with victims of police violence. “Since August 2020 I received innumerable allegations of beatings and ill-treatment, including torture in detention, but also allegations of rapes, enforced disappearances and even killings – all remain to be investigated.” She said she was also alarmed by the hundreds of cases of criminal prosecution of human rights defenders and lawyers, journalists and medical staff, which have taken place, simply for doing their job. Abusers protected “As the legal and judicial systems in Belarus protect the perpetrators of grave human rights violations, continuing impunity means that there is no guarantee of non-reoccurrence,” Ms. Marin said. “Hence the international community should keep on demanding the release and rehabilitation of all those still detained on political grounds, and support initiatives aiming at bringing perpetrators of the most serious crimes to account”. The UN expert also expressed concerns about the impact the ongoing crackdown has had on the right to education, pointing to discriminatory measures that persist in Belarus against people with disabilities, ethno-linguistic minorities, people living in rural areas and those deprived of liberty. ‘Disastrous consequences’ “I call on the Belarusian authorities to put an end to their policy of repression, to immediately and unconditionally release those arbitrarily detained, and to ensure full respect for the human rights and legitimate democratic aspirations of people in Belarus”, the UN expert said, warning that a further aggravation of the human rights crisis and international self-isolation could have disastrous consequences for the whole country. Independent Special Rapporteurs are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council, which is based in Geneva. They are not UN staff nor are they paid by the Organization.

Along with Alpha and Beta, Delta is fuelling an aggressive third wave across Africa, with case numbers climbing faster than all earlier peaks, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). WHO experts warned on Thursday that the numbers have increased for six consecutive weeks, up by 25% last week, reaching 202,000 positive cases. Deaths also rose by 15% across 38 African countries, to nearly 3,000. Young adults hit The Delta variant, initially identified in India, is now dominant in South Africa, which accounted for more than half of Africa´s cases last week. Moreover, the variant was detected in 97% of the samples sequenced in Uganda and 79% of those sequenced in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The variant also seems to be fueling illness among young adults. According to WHO experts. In Uganda for example, 66% of severe illness in people younger than 45, is attributed to Delta. “The speed and scale of Africa’s third wave is like nothing we’ve seen before. The rampant spread of more contagious variants pushes the threat to Africa up to a whole new level. More transmission means more serious illness and more deaths, so everyone must act now and boost prevention measures to stop an emergency becoming a tragedy,” said Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO´s regional director for Africa. UNICEF/Arlette Bashizi A nurse at North Kivu Provincial Hospital administers the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to a 45-year-old soldier in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Alpha and Beta The Alpha and Beta variants have been also reported in 32 and 27 countries respectively. Alpha has been detected in most countries in north, west and central Africa, while Beta is more widespread in the south. Both are considerably more transmissible than the original virus. With rising case numbers and hospitalizations across the continent, WHO estimates that oxygen demand in Africa is now 50% greater than for the first wave peak, one year ago. Lack of shots Eight vaccines have been approved for the WHO emergency use listing, however, shipments to Africa have, in effect, dried up. “While supply challenges grind on, dose sharing can help plug the gap. We are grateful for the pledges made by our international partners, but we need urgent action on allocations. Africa must not be left languishing in the throes of its worst wave yet,” added Dr. Moeti. Only 15 million people – a mere 1.2% of the African population – are fully vaccinated. IMF Photo/Jeff Moore A masked man walking in London’s West End Delta dominant in Europe ‘by August’ Meanwhile in Europe, a ten-week decline in the number of COVID-19 cases in the 53 countries that the WHO analyses, has come to an end. The regional director for the UN health agency, Hans Kluge, informed on Thursday that last week the number of cases rose by 10%, driven by increased mixing, travel, gatherings, and easing of social restrictions. “This is taking place in the context of a rapidly evolving situation – a new variant of concern, the Delta variant – and in a region where despite tremendous efforts by Member States, millions remain unvaccinated”, he explained. Mr. Kluge said that the Delta variant overtakes alpha very quickly through multiple and repeated introductions and is already translating into increased hospitalizations and deaths. “By August, the WHO European Region will be Delta dominant”, the expert underscored. New wave of deaths However, by August, Europe will not be sufficiently immunized, with 63% of people currently still waiting for their first jab, and the region will still be mostly loosening restrictions, with increasing travel and gatherings, Dr. Kluge warned. “The three conditions for a new wave of excess hospitalizations and deaths before the autumn are therefore in place: new variants, (a) deficit in vaccine uptake, increased social mixing; and there will be a new wave in the WHO European Region unless we remained disciplined”, he said. Vaccines are effective Mr. Kluge reminded that vaccines are effective against the Delta variant: “not one dose but two doses”, He added that delays in getting vaccinated cost lives and the economies, and the slower vaccination programmes are, the more variants will emerge. “We see many countries doing well, but the truth is that the average vaccine coverage in the region is 24% only, and more serious, half of our elders and 40% of our health care workers are still unprotected. That’s unacceptable”, the expert said, explaining that with these figures, the pandemic is nowhere over. “And it would be very wrong for anyone – citizens and policymakers – to assume that it is”.

The European Union (EU) must use its leverage to ensure people everywhere have access to COVID-19 vaccines, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Thursday. In a wide-ranging multilingual speech to the European Parliament in Brussels, the UN chief underscored the need to ramp up vaccinations globally. “The pandemic is causing more deaths today than a year ago. And vaccines are our only way out of this crisis. They must be considered as a global public good, available and affordable to all,” he said. “Vaccine equity is not only the greatest moral test of our times. It is also a matter of effectiveness”, he added. Vaccine task force The Secretary-General reiterated his recent call for an Emergency Task Force that would mobilize pharmaceutical companies and key industry players in implementing a plan to ensure the entire global population is vaccinated by “as early as possible in 2022.” Members would include vaccine-producing countries, as well as nations that could manufacture these treatments provided they have assistance, supported by the World Health Organization (WHO); the vaccine alliance, GAVI, and international financial institutions. The Task Force would explore all options to scale-up vaccine production, such as technology transfers, patent pooling, sharing intellectual property, and addressing supply chain bottlenecks. “And the European Union must use its leverage as a global actor to help in this effort and ensure fair and equitable access to vaccines for all”, he said. Creating a fairer world Fresh from being re-appointed as UN Secretary-General, Mr. Guterres told parliamentarians from the 27 member bloc, that he will use his second term to foster more effective global cooperation to address common concerns. “The pandemic has revealed our shared fragility, our inter-connectedness, and the overwhelming need for collective action.  Our biggest challenge — and greatest opportunity — is to use this crisis as a chance to pivot to a greener, fairer and more sustainable world,” he said.  With the pandemic exposing shocking inequalities between developed and developing countries, he urged governments to consider imposing a “solidarity tax” or “wealth tax” on those who profited from the crisis, which would go towards funding socio-economic recovery. “But beyond that, developing countries must have access to additional liquidity,” he said, speaking in French. “In this context, I renew my call to support the most vulnerable people and countries, including, if necessary, through debt relief.” Climate action Addressing the fragile state of the planet, Mr. Guterres thanked the EU for showing leadership in achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. More and more countries are joining the drive for carbon neutrality, and he said their commitments must be bolstered by clear deadlines for ending fossil fuel subsidies and finance, and plans to halve emissions by 2030. Ahead of the COP26 UN climate change conference this November in Scotland, the Secretary-General urged the EU to mobilize the $100 billion to support climate action in developing countries, as promised under the Paris Agreement on climate change. “With many countries on the frontline of the climate crisis, we have a moral imperative and a clear economic case for supporting developing countries to adapt and build resilience to current and future climate impacts,” he said.

Josep Borrell, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said that without “global cooperation based on agreed rules” we risk “the law of the jungle, where problems don’t get solved”. “Every day we see the cost of the absence of multilateral action: reduced access to vaccines, insufficient climate action, peace and security crises that fester”, he said.  Prevention, peace building According to the EU envoy, the world’s “biggest changes” stem from new technologies, which can be both disruptive and empowering. Emerging technologies must reflect the values of the Declaration of Human Rights or a “nightmarish scenario” will follow, he warned. “We all know that conflict prevention and peace building are key”, said Mr. Borrell, urging States to work with countries at risk “before conflict erupts”. COVID impact Now, in the second year of the COVID pandemic, the world must learn how human health and security are linked with that of the planet, said the High Representative. “Where politics gave us stalemates and divisions, science and cooperation gave us the exit strategy: vaccines. The EU is a staunch promoter of vaccine multilateralism”, with the UN-led equitable vaccine distribution initiative COVAX at its centre, he said. Beyond the pandemic Climate change and biodiversity loss have reached existential levels, the EU envoy pointed out. He called UN Summits in Kunming and Glasgow, later this year, “a real test of the multilateral system”, underscoring the need that they produce “real outcomes, in line with the scale and urgency of the problem”. To give impetus to the success of the Summits, he hoped the Council would pass a resolution on the increasingly evident link between climate change and growing insecurity. ‘Paralysed by vetoes’ The Security Council continues to be “paralysed by vetoes and political infighting”, said Mr. Borrell, reminding the Ambassadors that theirs is “a serious responsibility, politically, even morally”. On matters of peace and security, there is no other organization the EU can turn to, he said, calling for it “to match its belated but unanimous support for…a global ceasefire with a full commitment to its implementation”. Working with Iran Turning to the Iranian nuclear agreement, Mr. Borrell said the EU was working “on a non-stop basis” to revive the deal “in all its aspects”. While making progress, he acknowledged that discussions are “intense and slow”, saying that there is still “a lot of work to be done”. UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe Security Council meets on Cooperation between the UN and the European Union in maintaining international peace and security. On screen is Josep Borrell, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Castigating Belarus The High Representative painted a grim picture of subjugation in Belarus, from “massive repression of peaceful protestors” to the “scandalous” forced landing of a civilian plane traveling between two European capitals to arrest a journalist. Meeting the “major attack” with a “firm and principled” response, he said, the EU has closed its air space to Belarus airlines and is adopting a new package of sanctions, while also devising a three billion euros package of economic support for “a democratic Belarus”. Council instrumentalizes Ukraine Mr. Borrell said that Ukraine was being “instrumentalized” by the Security Council for political purposes. Noting that while unanimously supporting the Minsk Agreement to end the war in the eastern Ukraine, he said, very little implementation has been done, and urged the Ambassadors to step up their responsibility to deconflict the region. “The European Union will not rest until all countries of the region will be inside of the European Union”, the EU representative said. To this end, the EU is supporting reconciliation and reforms as “the best antidote to nationalist rhetoric”. Multilateralism, said Mr. Borrell, is “the most effective tool for tackling the most serious and complex global challenges”. “My plea is for pragmatism, solidarity and humanity. The multilateral system must deliver common goods as defined by international law, norms and agreements”, he said.

The UN Human Rights Council heard on Wednesday that fundamental freedoms in Ukraine have been squeezed in Government-controlled areas, as well as across the contact line in eastern territories, held by mainly pro-Russian separatists. Addressing the Council in Geneva amid steadily increasing international tensions over Ukraine, UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Nada Al-Nashif, said that similar violations continued to be documented in the Crimea, which she described as having been “temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation” since 2014.  Ms. Nashif noted that the UN rights office, OHCHR, had documented 29 incidents targeting journalists, media professionals, bloggers and individuals who had been critical of the Government “or mainstream narratives”, between November 2019 and October 2021. “Of particular concern is the lack of accountability for threats and violence targeting human rights defenders, media workers, and individuals who express opinions online or attempt to participate in policy-making,” said Ms. Nashif, who added that those targeted had covered topics such as corruption and the implementation of COVID-19 restrictions. “Impunity fuels further attacks, contributing to an environment of self-censorship, narrowing civic space and curtailing pluralism,” the Deputy High Commissioner said, adding that the situation tended to “discourage participation in public affairs and civic activism”. Eastern woes Turning to the east of the country and the self-proclaimed “republics” of Luhansk and Donetsk, Ms Al-Nashif said that similar rights and basic freedoms “have been severely restricted since the armed groups took control in 2014”. This had led to “an erosion of space for free expression and independent activism”, the Deputy High Commissioner insisted, noting that the de facto authorities in each “republic” had amended legislation to curb criticism posted online “and to restrict participation in public affairs”. Luhansk and Donetsk authorities had also “arbitrarily detained, or threatened to detain, social media users for expressing their views online, and individuals who participated in peaceful assemblies critical of decision-making in the territory”, she continued. Those articulating “pro-Ukrainian views” or opinions have continued to be a target, the Deputy High Commissioner said. “In November 2019, an entrepreneur was detained in the self-proclaimed ‘Luhansk people’s republic’ for publicly expressing his pro-Ukrainian views. He was held incommunicado for three days, and later sentenced to 13.5 years in prison.” Other activists who face particular dangers include women human rights defenders who support domestic violence survivors, Ms. Al-Nashif continued. Crimea curbs Similar restrictions on freedom of expression have continued in the Crimea, the Deputy High Commissioner said, particularly those “targeting opinions critical of Russian Federation policies and practices on the peninsula. Journalists who expressed dissenting or critical views were subjected to surveillance, criminal prosecution, arrests, prohibition of entry into Crimea and deportation from Crimea.” Among Member States’ concerns at the Council, the European Union delegation called for access to the whole of Ukraine, while Belarus warned that between four and 10 million people had fled the country amid increasing poverty. The United Kingdom urged Russia to end its “threatening and destabilizing behaviour” amid a military build-up on Ukraine’s borders, while Russia noted with concern the closing down of Russian-language TV channels and the stigmatization of those working for Russian-speaking media.

Following armed conflict from1991 to 1994 in Croatia and the rest of former Yugoslavia, that triggered increased radicalization and hate speech, an independent UN human rights expert urged the authorities on Thursday to redouble efforts towards full justice for victims and survivors. “It is important that the Government gives an unequivocal sign to society and the international community, of its commitment towards a comprehensive and holistic transitional justice process aimed at addressing past abuses, preventing their recurrence and establishing the foundations of a peaceful and respectful society for all”, Fabián Salvioli, Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence, said in a statement at the end of a six-day official visit to the country. Respond to radicalization While praising the “progress made after the conflict, and particularly during Croatia’s accession process to the European Union”, in prosecuting war criminals, searching for missing persons, and institutional reforms aimed at ensuring the rule of law, democracy and the promotion and protection of human rights, the UN expert observed however, that “progress appears to have stalled in the last seven years”. The Special Rapporteur flagged rising concerns over “the prospects of effective social reconciliation, particularly as a result of mounting instances of hate speech, glorification of war crimes, and the relativization of the decisions of the ICTY and national tribunals”. While noting legislative measures adopted by the Government to curb the extremely worrying trend, Mr. Salvioli also pointed out that implementation was insufficient. “I urge the relevant police, judicial, legislative and executive authorities to adopt all necessary measures to adequately respond to the raise in radicalization and hatred expressed in certain sectors of society, to ensure that the steps taken so far towards reconciliation are not irremediably reverted”, he said. Acknowledging the past In Croatia, the UN expert met senior government officials, civil society and human rights representatives and survivors, and visited mass grave sites, exhumation locations, memorials of the 1990s conflict and sites of World War Two concentration camps. He recalled that “for a process of transition and reconciliation to be effective” it is vital to acknowledge the suffering and dignity of all victims, as well as “the transmission of their stories to current and future generations, not only through school curricula and textbooks, but also through cultural activities and through the media”. “The legacy of past violations in all its complexities must be adequately and comprehensively addressed to assist in the process of social reconciliation, placing the victims at the centre of this process”, spelled out the Special Rapporteur. Reporting on country situation The independent expert will submit a full report on the visit to the Human Rights Council next year. Special Rapporteurs are appointed by the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council to examine and report back on a specific human rights theme or a country situation. The positions are honorary and they are not paid for their work.

While women in Belarus overall are being denied rights and freedoms, female political activists are subjected to enforced disappearances, torture, ill-treatment and exile, an independent UN human rights expert told the General Assembly on Tuesday. “The Government’s efforts to promote some rights of women at a policy level are rarely translated into concrete advancement of women’s rights in law and in practice”, said Anaïs Marin, Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Belarus. “Flaws in legislation have for decades led to inequalities, discrimination, and protection gaps in cases of gender-based violence and abuses”. Physical, psychological pressure In presenting her report on the human rights of women and girls in Belarus, including lesbian, bisexual and transgender women, and intersex persons, Ms. Marin cited long-standing societal gender stereotypes “that reach to the very top of the State” and pointed out that women are generally “discouraged from participating in public life as proactive citizens”. Millions in Belarus took to the streets in protest against the authoritarian Government following the disputed presidential election of August 2020. President Alexander Lukashenko has been in office since July 1994, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The UN expert observed that “some women became victims of enforced disappearances, torture, ill-treatment, and other forms of physical and psychological pressure, including the threat of seizure of their children” by agencies supposed to be offering social protection. “Others have been forced into exile for fear of repression and retaliation”. Pattern of suppression The Special Rapporteur described a pattern in which the Belarus Government suppresses civil society, curtailing women’s civic and political rights – most notably their freedom of assembly, association and expression. Meanwhile, some 800 people in Belarus have been imprisoned on political grounds and more than 270 civil society organizations and independent media have been or are being liquidated. “Media freedoms were further restricted by legal, administrative and practical obstacles that undermined the work of independent journalists and bloggers”, she said. “Academics and human rights defenders were forced into exile on a huge scale while perpetrators of grave human rights violations continue acting boldly without fear of facing justice for their crime”. ‘Model for women and girls’ The independent expert described how courageous Belarusian women and girls have peacefully stood up for their fundamental rights, describing them as “truly inspiring”. She said the served as “a model for women and girls everywhere who seek respect for their right to a better life, free of violence and discrimination”. She called on the authorities in Belarus to view peaceful public activism not as a threat, but as an opportunity for improving the protection of rights for the entire population. Ms. Marin and all Special Rapporteurs are appointed by the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council to examine and report back on a specific human rights theme or a country situation. The positions are honorary and they are not paid for their work.

Tensions over vehicle licence plates and anti-smuggling operations, between authorities in Kosovo and Serbia, in recent weeks, may contribute to unravelling “steady but fragile progress made in rebuilding trust among communities” in Kosovo and Serbia. The warning came from Special Representative and head of the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), Zahir Tanin, in a briefing to the Security Council on Friday. “[These events] are of deep concern to me and should be a warning to all members of this Council”, Mr. Tanin said, referring to two episodes involving the Kosovo Police. Escalating events — UNMIK (UN Mission in Kosovo) (@UNMIKosovo) October 15, 2021 On the morning of 20 September, Pristina launched a police operation in northern Kosovo to enforce a new licence plate validity regime, causing a stand-off with protesters blockading traffic along the Administrative Boundary Line. Special units of the Kosovo Police, armed with long weapons, were deployed in armoured vehicles. In one instance, they utilised tear gas and percussion grenades to disperse protesters. Tensions were reportedly resolved over the border dispute, following international mediation and the deployment of troops from the NATO-led peacekeeping operation in Kosovo, KFOR. Anti-smuggling operation This past Wednesday, Kosovo Police Special Police Units were once again deployed in the north, as part of what has been described as an anti-smuggling operation, conducted in several locations in Kosovo. Over the course of the day, the operation provoked protests and clashes that resulted in a significant number of injuries, among protestors, police and uninvolved civilians. According to news reports, the clashes involved ethnic Serbs, which provoked a response from Serbia, calling on the international community to restore order and protect Serbs living inside Kosovo. Mr. Tanin described these events as a reminder “that lack of political understanding and communication is a vector for the escalation of tensions, especially in fragile security environments characterised by mistrust.” For him, this can be described as “a bruising episode, but it could far too easily have been turned into a real haemorrhage.” “History in the region has tragically and repeatedly shown that ostensibly small incidents, misreading of intentions, and outright mistakes, can trigger an unstable security escalation that puts lives at risk and benefits no-one.” Dialogue The Special Representative informed that he has spoken about it both with Prime Minister Kurti, from Kosovo, and President Vučić, from Serbia, as well as other diplomatic actors involved, especially those representing the United States, the Russian Federation and China. He also welcomed the recent encounter between the two leaders, on 6 October, during the EU-Western Balkans Summit, in the presence of French President Macron and German Chancellor Merkel. “Still, it would be premature and overly optimistic to say that we can see a resumption of real commitment to the dialogue, which remains the only forum in which responsible and result-oriented discussions can continue”, he concluded.

“We have a collective responsibility in maintaining international peace and security. We have a shared responsibility in tackling today’s major challenges and we have a responsibility to individually each uphold the values that unite us,” he said in a pre-recorded message. “For France, this is what this historic period of turbulence that we’re experiencing calls for. We must all rise to the challenge.” Summit for Security Council ‘P5’ Despite recent attacks, the foundations of the multilateral system have stood sound, he said, though warning against rising risks such as “more intense” power games and the reemergence of “bloc mentalities”. France is one of five permanent members of the UN Security Council, alongside China, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. Mr. Le Drian said his country is calling for a “P5 summit” to establish a joint action programme “to enable the Security Council to fully exercise its mandate and to embark upon a dialogue on the key issues of arms control and our collective security.” Humanitarian duty in Afghanistan Turning to some of the world’s hotspots, he underlined the duty to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan. “And it is in our common interest to have clear political and security requirements with regard to the regime in Kabul: all ties with terrorist organizations must be severed,” he said, speaking through an interpreter. Furthermore, the fight against the terrorism threat in Western Asia and the Sahel region in Africa must also continue, while the international community “must be absolutely unequivocal” on Iran’s nuclear programme. “Iran cannot be allowed to think any longer that time is on its side because the more dangerous its nuclear program becomes, the greater the risk of a major crisis,” said Mr. Le Drian. “France will do everything it possibly can to encourage dialogue, but the only possible way forward remains an agreement, making it possible to establish that Iran is once again upholding its obligations. It is therefore essential that negotiations resume very quickly.” Close the ‘vaccine divide’ On the pandemic, Mr. Le Drian stressed that the “vaccine divide” cannot be allowed to widen further. He added that France will continue to work with partners, especially those in Africa, noting that “our commitment to provide 60 million doses will be achieved by the end of the year.” He also highlighted the need for international solidarity, including on the issue of economic recovery. While G20 nations have established a debt service suspension initiative, they must go further, he said. This includes ensuring swift allocation of Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), a type of foreign reserve asset developed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), to countries that need them most. He said France is ready to transfer 20 per cent of its SDR allocation to African countries. ‘Moment of truth’ on climate The Foreign Minister also called for urgent action on climate change and the environment, with the upcoming COP26 climate change conference serving as “a moment of truth”. He encouraged countries to “rally around the goal of climate neutrality by 2050”, noting that human lives, as well as international civility and future generations, are at stake. “Here again, France will show its solidarity by providing €6 billion a year and devoting more than a third of its financing to climate adaptation,” he added. Full text, in English, linked here.

Looking back over the first four days of the high-level week, the Ireland’s Prime Minister said a series of alarms have sounded in the Hall of the General Assembly: for conflict, for COVID, for climate. “We have heard the alarms. Now we must respond,” said Micheál Martin. “I believe that this is what the General Assembly, our Assembly of Nations, was created to do. Our purpose, our obligation.” For the Irish leader, “the simple fact” is that the world “cannot succeed in addressing these global challenges without a strong, effective and fair multilateral system.” COVID-19 response The Prime Minister also said that “vaccine inequity is a moral test” for the global community. He pointed to the rapid establishment of COVAX and the ACT Accelerator, saying this represents multilateralism at its best, and the only way to meet the target of a fully vaccinated world by mid-2022. According to Mr. Martin, Ireland is in the process of donating 1.3 million vaccine doses to low income countries, mainly through COVAX. It is also preparing a “significant donation” for 2022. The country support to global health since the outbreak of the pandemic has reached over €200 million. He highlighted the role of the UN World Health Organisation (WHO), saying it should remain at the heart of the global response, and informed that Ireland has quadrupled the funding to the agency in response to the pandemic. Lessons from the pandemic Reflecting on the past 18 months, the Prime Minster said one thing is clear: “The pandemic caught the world off-guard” “It has put into stark relief the simple, and regrettable, fact that we have not made sufficient progress in reducing poverty, in increasing access to quality health care and education, nor, in combatting the climate crisis,” he said. He argued that, had the world made more progress in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), societies “would have been more resilient, better prepared to weather the storm, and lives would have been spared.” Security Council membership Since the beginning of the year, Ireland has occupied one of the non-permanent seats in the UN Security Council. “Every day for the last nine months, we have sought to use our voice, to defend our principles, and to make progress towards the peaceful resolution of some of the world’s most pressing conflicts,” the Irish leader said. He recalled his own country’s history with conflict, saying it thought Irish people that “building peace is painstaking, long and often frustrating.” He said that progress has not always been possible and that, too often, the Council has been divided. “It is a lesson hard learned that when we, in this building, are divided, it is the most vulnerable who suffer the consequences,” he said, pointing to the cases of Syria and Tigray. Ireland’s contribution On Thursday, Mr. Martin chaired a Security Council debate on climate and security. For him, “there is no time to waste” and that is why, in the coming days, Ireland will convene a discussion on a thematic resolution on climate and security. Looking ahead to COP26, the UN Climate Conference taking place in early November, he said that all Member States should “muster the courage to take bold and ambitious action.” For its part, Ireland will reduce emissions by 51 per cent by 2030 compared to 2018 levels. Along with its partners in the European Union, the country will achieve net neutrality by 2050. “Ireland will continue to play our part, to build consensus and to advocate fiercely for the multilateral system and the people we have pledged to serve,” Mr. Martin concluded. Read the full statement in English here.

Cyprus has been divided for more than four decades, and leaders from its Greek and Turkish communities last met in 2019 at an UN-facilitated conference in Berlin. He stressed that there is only one plan: to reach a settlement on the basis of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with political equality, as set out in relevant UN Security Council resolutions and in line with the principles on which the EU is founded. “A settlement that will lead to a functional and viable State, without the obsolete System of Guarantees, the right of intervention, the presence of foreign troops, or any kind of foreign dependencies. A settlement that will equally benefit all Cypriots, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, fully respecting their human rights and contributing to the peace and stability of the region.” Mr. Anastasiades was one of the speakers on the fourth day of the high-level week of the General Assembly. After being held virtually last year due the coronavirus pandemic, this year’s gathering will feature “hybrid” activities that will include leaders in person along with virtual participants.  Solution and negotiations Mr. Anastasiades said that he stood in the General Assembly Hall “representing a country which, regrettably, still endures the consequences of the blatant violation of the fundamental principles of the United Nations, as a result of the 1974 illegal military invasion of Turkey and the ongoing occupation.” He said it was not hist intention “to engage on a blame game,” but disputed the Turkish claim that the efforts for a compromise have been exhausted. “A compromise becomes even more difficult to reach when new ideas put forward by our side, as asked by the Secretary-General and in an effort to move the process forward, are blatantly rejected,” he added. Among his proposals, he pointed to a decentralization of the exercise of powers, the option of a parliamentary system with a ceremonial Head of State and rotating Prime Minister and, more recently, an invitation to the Turkish Cypriots to rejoin the state institutions. A sense of disappointment The Cypriot president highlighted “a sense of disappointment” among the people of the world, saying it is caused by “a widening gap between words and deeds, between the auspicious declarations and commitments which are made and the results of the measures that we promise to deliver.” Speaking about major global challenges, he argued that a “collective and shared failure” has disappointed “many people across the world, whose fundamental human rights and dignity are not adequately protected.” For him, to solve these problems, here is only one answer: “Multilateralism, tangible solidarity and stronger partnerships, based on a positive agenda.” He addressed the issue of climate change, citing the “alarming projections” for his region, and informed that Cyprus undertook a coordinating role for developing a Regional Action Plan. He also spoke about the most recent developments in Afghanistan, telling Member States they “share a collective responsibility to uphold international humanitarian law, particularly as regards the protection of women and minorities.” “We also need to ensure that Afghanistan does not become a safe haven for terrorism and extremism, or a breeding ground for organized crime, weapons and drug trafficking and renewed waves of illegal migration,” he added. Lastly, he argued that global leaders “have more than ever a moral, ethical and political duty to promote the essence of human civilization, unite our strength to maintain international peace and security and establish conditions that can bring prosperity and welfare to all.” “I do hope that next year we will be in a position to be proud of ourselves because we have taken significant steps towards fulfilling that vision,” he concluded. Read the full statement in English here.

In his speech to the high-level debate at the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson declared that it is time for mankind to grow up and take responsibility for the damage we are inflicting on the planet. The human species, said Mr. Johnson, is nearing the end of the adolescent phase of its evolutionary lifespan. He referred to November’s COP26 UN climate conference, which he is hosting in the Scottish city of Glasgow, as the moment to show that mankind is capable of learning and maturing. “Daily, weekly, we are doing such irreversible damage that, long before a million years [of humankind] are up, we will have made this beautiful planet effectively uninhabitable, not just for us but for many other species”, said the Prime Minister. ‘Our grandchildren will know that we are the culprits’ Business as usual, warned the UK leader, will see temperatures going up by more than 2.7 degrees or more by the end of the century, with disastrous consequences, because of human action. “Our grandchildren”, he said, “will know that…we missed our cue, and they will ask what kind of people we were to be so selfish and so short-sighted.” At COP26, declared Mr. Johnson, the world must pledge to achieve carbon neutrality by the middle of the century. Countries representing 70 per cent of the world’s GDP have committed to this objective, he said, but commitments are needed in four areas to make substantial reductions: an end to coal power, a transition to electric vehicles, climate finance, and the planting of trees. On the subject of coal, Mr. Johnson said that green technology has led to emission cuts in the UK, with electricity from coal due to be phased out by 2024, and to the installation of wind turbines. Mr. Johnson noted the UK’s contribution to the rapid growth of the electric vehicle market, which involves ending the sale of hydrocarbon internal combustion engines by 2030, and called for international cooperation to ensure that, by 2040, there are only zero emission vehicles on sale anywhere in the world. The UK Prime Minister said that the country will strengthen flood protection by planting millions more trees, and called on nations to follow the example of Pakistan, which has pledged to plant 10 billion trees. With regards to climate finance, Mr. Johnson recalled the UK’s commitment to provide £11.6 billion to help the rest of the world tackle climate change, and praised financial pledges made by Denmark and the United States. However, national commitments from governments, he added, are not enough, and the private sector must also be leveraged, via international financial institutions, to make the necessary investment. ‘Blow out the candles of a world on fire’ As well as tackling climate change, declared Mr. Johnson, such investments will produce millions of high wage, high skill jobs. Start-ups, he noted, are already producing solutions to the climate crisis, from feed that lowers livestock methane emissions, to robotics and AI that enhance food production. “These technological breakthroughs, said the Prime Minister, will cut the cost for consumers, so that we have nothing to fear and everything to gain from this green industrial revolution.” Looking ahead to COP26, Mr. Johnson described the climate conference as a opportunity to grow up, a metaphorical “16th birthday party for humanity”, at which the world can celebrate a coming of age, and “blow out the candles of a world on fire”. Read the full statement here.

“All of them call for a coordinated response. All of them underline why we need international cooperation. We need to remind ourselves of our collective strength,” she said in a pre-recorded message. Remembering that “the United Nations was born out of crisis”, she said “crises have the potential to increase unity and resolve” and the world “must harness the momentum created and take action.” Ms. Solberg was one of the speakers on the second day of the high-level week of the General Assembly. After being held virtually last year due the coronavirus pandemic, this year’s gathering will feature “hybrid” activities that will include leaders in person along with virtual participants.  Climate change On climate change, she said more countries, especially large economies, need to raise their ambition level ahead of COP26, the UN Climate Conference that happens at the end of October in Glasgow. She affirmed that Norway is doing its part and pointed to the country’s “new target to cut emissions by at least 50 per cent – and towards 55 per cent – by 2030.” To tackle a warming climate, the Norwegian leader argued the world needs to urgently restore the health of the ocean. She noted the agenda presented by High-level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy, where members have made a commitment to sustainably manage all of their ocean areas by 2025. “This is a bold target. But our ambition is even bolder: We call on all ocean and coastal states to make a similar commitment by 2030,” she asked. COVID-19 pandemic For Ms. Solberg, the COVID-19 pandemic “has shown, yet again, that global problems require global solutions” and asked for changes in the international system. “We need to reform and strengthen the global health architecture to prevent, detect, and respond to future threats. And we need a fully financed WHO playing a central, coordinating role,” she defended. She pointed to “a glaring inequity in vaccine distribution”, saying the result “is a disconnected world.” “It is unacceptable and dangerous. The truth is: the pandemic is not over, and it will not be over anywhere until it’s over everywhere,” the Prime Minister added. Turning to the recovery, she told Member States they “have an opportunity to do things right” and must align their efforts with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. “We must invest in the green transition. We must invest in people, women and girls in particular. And we must fulfil the promise of the SDGs, to leave no one behind,” she said. Addressing how that recovery can be financed, she asked for fair and effective tax systems and pointed to the agreement reached in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) on a new framework for international tax reform, calling it “an important step forward.” Democracy and foreign affairs On a personal note, Ms. Solberg recalled that she stands as a Prime Minister who lost an election last week. After eight years, her Government will step down and hand over to a new administration. “I hope they will succeed in taking our country forward. I am mentioning this because orderly transitions cannot be taken for granted,” she said. She then pointed to a “decline in democracy and respect for human rights”, giving examples from Venezuela to Tigray and Myanmar. On Afghanistan, she said she was “alarmed and saddened” by recent developments and “will judge the Taliban by their actions, not but by their words.” “The composition of the interim government is discouraging,” she added. In closing, the Prime Minister commended the Secretary-General for the “realistic assessment” he presented in his ‘Our Common Agenda’ earlier in the month. “There is a way forward. We have already charted our course; the 2030 agenda is our roadmap. Let´s not hesitate. Let’s join forces and get started right away,” she concluded. Full statement in English here.

The President of Estonia, Kersti Kaljulaid, lauded the world’s embrace of online services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic on Wednesday, in her high-level General Debate speech at the 76th United Nations General Assembly session. Ms. Kaljulaid said that, although many conversations on digital development have been curtailed, online events have continued to provide solutions and fresh ideas to confront the crisis. “Through the tears we have shed for our lost ones, from the despair and devastation, solutions have sprung which will enable us to become better, more egalitarian societies” she declared. The Estonian President singled out Kenya’s decision to make court judgements available online and expressed her hope that this could be replicated by all governments, citing the benefits for people from rural areas and vulnerable groups, who would otherwise have to travel long distance and queue at government offices. ‘The vulnerable suffer’ Turning to Afghanistan, Ms. Kaljulaid expressed her sadness that the progress made in the past two decades, particularly in relation to women’s rights, is seemingly being reversed. Their future, she said, looks grim, as does the humanitarian situation, with more than 18 million people, including women and children, in need of emergency aid. The Estonian President reminded her audience that women and children in parts of the world have been hard-hit by the pandemic: the figures surrounding women’s participation in the workforce, their proportion among the unemployed, or the number of women unable to reach ante- or postnatal care make up a “dark shadow of this pandemic”. Vaccinating the global population, she continued, is necessary before problems such as starvation, access to education or medical care can be properly addressed, and Estonia is contributing some 900 000 vaccine doses. Digital as an equalizer On the subject of the digital transformation, Ms. Kaljulaid noted that the phenomenon, of particular importance for small countries with limited resources, cannot be separated from the respect from the basic rights and freedoms. Digital, she continued, is an equaliser and, in order to prevent the emergence of digital inequality and division, Estonia and Singapore co-sponsored a Global Declaration on the Digital Response to COVID19, “Close the Digital Divides: the Digital Response to COVID-19”. The President insisted that digital tools must not be used to help repressive states become more efficient, but should be used for the benefit of their citizens. In Estonia, she continued, the State’s online behaviour is rooted in international law, including the UN Charter, international humanitarian law, and human rights law. Turning to the activities of neighbouring countries, Ms. Kaljulaid raised the situation in Belarus. She said that Estonia stands in solidarity against the “aggressive and destabilizing behaviour of Alexander Lukashenkaʼs regime”. As for Ukraine, the Estonian leader declared her country’s “strong and unwavering support for their sovereignty, territorial integrity and for nonrecognition policy of the illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia.” Highlighting the work of Estonia as an elected member of the Security Council, Ms. Kaljulaid said that the country has tried to give a voice to women human rights defenders by inviting them to brief the Council, and to draw attention to the situation of children in armed conflicts. The Estonian President concluded by remarking that the UN relies on international cooperation to solve global problems, and that the Organization has a great potential for solidarity regardless of the problems we are facing. Full statement in English here.