World News Brief: Historic Palestinian Monastery Listed as World Heritage in Danger, Human Rights Office Condemns as Ghana Upholds Anti-Gay Law, Frees Detained Russian Activist
“This decision recognises both the value of the site and the need to protect it from harm,” the agency said. speak attention to the threats posed by the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Monastery dating from the fourth century and is one of the oldest sites in the Middle East. It was founded by Saint Hilarion and was home to the first monastic community in the Holy Land.
Located at the crossroads of major trade and exchange routes between Asia and Africa, it was a center of religious, cultural and economic exchange, illustrating the prosperity of desert monastic sites during the Byzantine period.
UNESCO reiterated that under the terms of the World Heritage Convention, the 195 States Parties must refrain from taking any deliberate measures likely to cause direct or indirect damage to the site and must assist in its protection.
UNESCO added that the recognition was decided through the urgent inscription procedure as provided for by the Convention.
UN human rights office condemns Ghana’s decision to maintain anti-LGBTQ+ law
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on Friday condemned the recent Supreme Court ruling in Ghana upholding the country’s Criminal Offences Act, which criminalizes consensual same-sex relations.
The court reportedly dismissed a lawsuit challenging the rule on Wednesday and upheld a three-year prison sentence for violators.
The country is reportedly awaiting a new court ruling that could impose heavier penalties under the new law.
OHCHR spokesperson Liz Throssell said, “Court Judgment of July 24 It is particularly troubling given the recent reports of increased violence against the LGBTQ+ community in Ghana.”
‘Anti-gay bill’
Ms Throssell highlighted the legal challenges posed by the recent Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill – a bill that would further criminalise members and allies of the LGBTIQ+ community – which was passed by Parliament in February but has yet to receive presidential assent.
She noted that the bill is harmful because it legitimizes prejudice and exposes members of this community to violence and other forms of discrimination.
“It extends discriminatory criminal sanctions to the LGBTQ+ community and also criminalizes the work of human rights defenders, health professionals, teachers, landlords, journalists and media workers,” she said.
Ms. Throssell called on the Government of Ghana to comply with international human rights standards and “ensure that everyone living in Ghana, without exception, can live free from violence, stigma and discrimination.”
Russia urged to release activist detained for posting Facebook logo online
Russia must immediately release human rights defender Alexey Sokolov, who was arrested for posting Facebook logos online, say two UN-appointed experts Dong Nhan Quy Association speak on Friday.
In March, a Moscow court banned Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, from operating in Russia for “extremist activity” and allowing “fake news” about Russian troops in Ukraine on its channels.
Mr. Sokolov was arrested on July 5 on charges of “repeatedly demonstrating extremist symbols” for displaying the Facebook logo on the website and Telegram channel of the non-governmental organization (NGO) he heads.
Mariana Katzarova, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federationand Mary Lawlor, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenderscalled for his immediate and unconditional release, and for the charges to be dropped.
“The arbitrary arrest and detention of Alexey Sokolov is yet another example of the severe repression of freedom of expression and freedom of assembly in Russia since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022,” they said.
“This crackdown targets the activities of civil society organizations, human rights defenders, independent media and dissident voices in Russia with the aim of silencing pro-human rights activism and anti-war expression.”
Special Rapporteurs and other independent experts are tasked by the United Nations Human Rights Council to report and advise on specific country situations or thematic issues.
They are not employees of the United Nations, serve in their personal capacity and receive no salary for their work.
Historic monastery in Palestine inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger
Also on Friday,
The report also notes that inclusion on the List of World Heritage in Danger would enable enhanced international technical and financial support mechanisms to ensure the protection of the property and, if necessary, help facilitate its restoration.
