UN Security Update on Iraq

It is important to call a genocide a genocide, UN experts told the UN Palestinian Rights Committee during a Briefing “International legal responsibilities for preventing genocide, holding perpetrators of war crimes accountable, and for ending the unlawful occupation of Palestine” on 31 October 2024 as they called on all States to examine their relationships and avoid being complicit in this crime being committed by Israel on the Palestinian people in Gaza.“If you go to a doctor because you have cancer and you are diagnosed with fever, you have a big problem — it's the same with the people who are being genocided,” said Francesca Albanese, Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Palestinian Territory Occupied Since 1967, during a briefing on the international legal responsibilities for preventing genocide, holding perpetrators of war crimes accountable, and for ending the unlawful occupation of Palestine.Describing herself as “a reluctant chronicler of genocide,” Ms. Albanese said the international community must recognize what is happening in Gaza as a genocide and “understand the bigger design behind what's happening in Palestine today”. It is not simply war crimes and crimes against humanity that the Palestinians are experiencing — “they have experienced those through their entire life,” she said, but the current situation is different. At the beginning of the meeting, Cheikh Niang (Senegal), Committee Chair, commended the work of UN experts in investigating and documenting what has been happening. They have sifted through vast amounts of documents and testimonies, gathered evidence and separated facts from misinformation. Their “efforts are vital, not only for telling the story of Gaza, but more importantly for ensuring accountability”, he said. More details: https://www.un.org/unispal/briefing-i...Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/depictions-media--4208927/support.

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South Africa told judges at the World Court in the Hague on Thursday that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza and pleaded with the court to issue an interim order for an immediate halt to Israel's military actionsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/depictions-media--4208927/support.

South Africa told judges at the World Court in the Hague on Thursday that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza and pleaded with the court to issue an interim order for an immediate halt to Israel's military actionsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/depictions-media--4208927/support.

UN General Assembely debate the Palestine question and the actions of Israel after October 2023Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/depictions-media--4208927/support.

The UN team investigating crimes committed by Da’esh terrorist group has issued its latest report documenting the terrorist group’s atrocities in Iraq, laying the groundwork for future prosecutions.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/depictions-media--4208927/support.

WHO welcomes the extension of the humanitarian pause in the conflict in Gaza, and the release of hostages and prisoners by both sides.The pause has enabled WHO to increase deliveries of medical supplies in Gaza, and to transfer patients from Al-Shifa hospital to other hospitals south of the Wadi Gaza.During the first three days of the pause, WHO received 121 pallets of supplies into our warehouse in Gaza, including IV fluids, medicines, lab supplies, medical disposables, and trauma and surgical supplies.This is enough to support about 90 000 people.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/depictions-media--4208927/support.

Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/depictions-media--4208927/support.

Briefing reporters on the situation in Gaza, Secretary-General António Guterres said, “The way forward is clear. A humanitarian ceasefire. Now. All parties respecting all their obligations under international humanitarian law. Now.”Speaking today (06 Nov) in New York, Guterres said that the nightmare in Gaza is more than a humanitarian crisis. It is a crisis of humanity, adding that the intensifying conflict is shaking the world, rattling the region and, most tragically, destroying so many innocent lives.The UN chief reiterated his utter condemnation of the abhorrent acts of terror perpetrated by Hamas on 7 October – and repeated his call for the immediate, unconditional and safe release of hostages held in Gaza.“Nothing can justify the deliberate torture, killing, injuring and kidnapping of civilians,” Guterres emphasized.He highlighted, “The protection of civilians must be paramount.”The UN chief said, “I am deeply concerned about clear violations of international humanitarian law that we are witnessing,” reiterating that “no party to an armed conflict is above international humanitarian law.”Gaza is becoming a "graveyard for children." Hundreds of girls and boys are reportedly being killed or injured every day. More journalists have reportedly been killed over a four-week period than in any conflict in at least three decades. More United Nations aid workers have been killed than in any comparable period in the history of our organization, Guterres noted.He saluted all those who continue their life-saving work despite the overwhelming challenges and risks.The Secretary-General said, “The unfolding catastrophe makes the need for a humanitarian ceasefire more urgent with every passing hour. The parties to the conflict -- and, indeed, the international community -- face an immediate and fundamental responsibility: to stop this inhuman collective suffering and dramatically expand humanitarian aid to Gaza.”Today, the UN and its partners are launching a $1.2 billion humanitarian appeal to help 2.7 million people – that’s the entire population of the Gaza Strip and half a million Palestinians in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.Some life-saving aid is getting into Gaza from Egypt through the Rafah crossing. But the trickle of assistance does not meet the ocean of need, Guterre said.He explained, “The Rafah crossing alone does not have the capacity to process aid trucks at the scale required,” adding that “just over 400 trucks have crossed into Gaza over the past two weeks – compared with 500 a day before the conflict.”The UN chief continued, “And crucially, this does not include fuel. Without fuel, newborn babies in incubators and patients on life support will die. Water cannot be pumped or purified. Raw sewage could soon start gushing onto the streets, further spreading disease. Trucks loaded with critical relief will be stranded.”The UN chief also remains “gravely” concerned about rising violence and an expansion of the conflict. The occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, “is at a boiling point,” he added.Guterres continued, “Let us also not forget the importance of addressing the risks of the conflict spilling over to the wider region. We are already witnessing a spiral of escalation from Lebanon and Syria, to Iraq and Yemen.”He reitareted, "That escalation must stop. Cool heads and diplomatic efforts must prevail. Hateful rhetoric and provocative actions must cease.”The Secretary-General also highlighted, “I am deeply troubled by the rise in antisemitism and anti-Muslim bigotry.”He said, “Jewish and Muslim communities in many parts of the world are on high alert, fearing for their personal safety and security. Emotions are at a fever pitch. Tensions are running high. The images of suffering are heart breaking and soul crushing. But we must find a way to hold on to our common humanity.”The UN chief concluded, “We must act now to find a way out of this brutal, awful, agonizing dead end of destruction. To help end the pain and suffering. To help heal the broken. And to help pave the way to peace, to a two-state solution with Israelis and Palestinians living in peace and security.”Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/depictions-media--4208927/support.

Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour said that the members of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) are “united in demonstrating solidarity and support to the Palestinian people, and demanding the implementation of the Resolution in the General Assembly.”Speaking to reporters today (03 Nov), together with the members of the OIC, Ambassador Mansour said that the Security Council is “unable to act collectively.”He explained, “to maintain international peace and security when there is a war, the first thing that they should do - ceasefire, stop the war and deal with that situation. And because they want some, who have veto power, want Israel to continue with this crime, and to leave it completely to Israel to decide when they will stop.”The Palestinian Ambassador reiterated, “Nevertheless we will continue to knocking on the door of the Security Council.”On Jordan recalling its ambassador to Israel, Ambassador Mansour said, “We encourage as many as possible to take practical steps against those who are committing crimes against the Palestinian people. And by that I mean representative of the occupying authorities, they need to feel the pressure.”Libyan Ambassador Taher Elsonni who is serving as the Chairman of the Arab Group, also spoke to reporters.He said, “There's no justification to bomb refugee camps, like Jabalia twice. There is no justification to target hospitals, under what so called the right to defend.”Ambassador Elsonni said, “depriving more than two million Palestinians from food, water and feul is a war crime. It's not questionable, because it's killing everyone.”The Chairman of the Arab Group also said, “Dehumanizing Palestinians is not acceptable. We're all humans and all lives matter.”He continued, “I'm wondering, where are the voices of human rights activists, special envoys on what's happening? Where are the human rights and when it comes to women and children in conflict? We hear that all around. Where is it today? And why we are not hearing those voices anymore? We heard messages or voices on humanitarian pauses. We're calling for ceasefire.”Ambassador Elsonni reiterated, “it's not a movie to be played, to stop when we want and leave people die. A ceasefire must be called and must be called now.”The Chairman concluded, “this narrative of everything started only on October 7, is false. This is seven decades of struggle. So if we don't put things into context, and we don't fix the root cause we will remain always in this vicious cycle, and more innocent lives will be lost.”#inspiringstories #inspirationalstory #faith #loveandtrust #podcast #newmedia #audiobookshttps://depictions.media/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/depictions-media--4208927/support.