World News Summary: Human rights in Ukraine, multilateralism on the air, forced disappearances in Colombia
Speaking at a conference in Kyiv on reclaiming human rights and protecting dignity, High Commissioner Volker Türk once again expressed “full solidarity” with the people of Ukraine and was concerned about the latest wave of attacks on energy base when temperatures plummet.
“Children, the elderly and those with disabilities will suffer the most,” he added.
Non-stop attack
“From relentless drone strikes to territorial occupation, from cultural repression to prisoner of war abuse – the human rights of Ukrainians are under siege. And this must end.”
He said it was more important than ever for solidarity, “a time to recommit to human rights and human dignity, and to build and maintain trust in each other and in democratic institutions.” .
He added that the United Nations human rights office he leads, OHCHRis doing its part to ensure accountability and justice by creating a public record of human rights violations committed during Ukraine’s fight for national survival, which has informed the before the European Court of Human Rights and the European Court of Human Rights. International Court of Justice.
“I commend Ukrainians for coming together for human rights and human dignity, and assure you of our full commitment and support,” he concluded.
ICAO, ‘a powerful example of multilateralism in action’, says UN chief
UN Secretary General António Guterres marks the 80th anniversary of the signing convention paved the way for mass civil air travel, by praising the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) as a testament to global cooperation.
“Over the decades, your organization, established by the Convention, has expanded significantly, from 54 countries gathered in Chicago in 1944 to 193 members today,” he noted.
Mr. Guterres emphasized the significant challenges facing the aviation industry today, especially its role in addressing the climate crisis.
Tourism revival
According to the latest information World tourism barometer According to the United Nations Tourism Agency, global tourism is on track to fully recover to pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2024, with 1.1 billion international tourists recorded in the first nine months of the year. However, this resurgence brings sustainability challenges.
“Accounting for around 2% of global carbon dioxide emissions, aviation is one of the most challenging sectors to decarbonize. But with innovation and investment, it is possible,” Mr. Guterres noted.
ICAOTheir new long-term strategic plan outlines a commitment to achieving net-zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050.
The Secretary-General commended ICAO’s leadership in aligning its efforts with its goals Agenda 2030ensuring that all countries benefit from sustainable aviation advances.
Enforced disappearances are still a daily reality in Colombia
According to findings published Thursday by the United Nations Committee on Enforced Disappearances (CED) after a two-week business trip to the country.
Initial findings paint a grim picture of missing children, journalists, social leaders and migrants.
With estimates ranging from 98,000 to 200,000 people missing, the exact scale of the crisis remains unclear due to fragmented record keeping and institutional inefficiencies.
“Although enforced disappearances began in Colombia around the 1940s, they are not just crimes of the past. They continue to occur every day across the country in a variety of circumstances,” the delegation reported after visiting six cities and meeting with 80 authorities, including the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Justice. Justice.
The investigation exposed a bureaucratic system where victims’ families faced challenges in seeking justice.
‘There is no end’ to the suffering
“We didn’t know where to turn,” one victim told investigators. We are thrown between organizations and there is no stopping.”
The situation is further complicated by overlapping missions between different agencies, with officials reporting that coordination efforts often result in endless meetings instead of concrete action. A single search process can require the coordination of up to 60 different national and territorial authorities.
The Commission emphasizes that immediate action is needed to streamline institutional responses and improve coordination. They note that marginalized individuals face additional obstacles in reporting disappearances, especially in areas controlled by armed groups.
“The families of the missing deserve clarity, justice and accountability. Each missing person represents a family waiting for answers, a divided community and a society grappling with unresolved grief,” the delegation said.
